Bill Tobin, an 83-year-old former scout and personnel administrator for the Bears, has gone away.
Tobin was named director of player personnel in 1984, although he never held the position of general manager with the Bears, even though he carried out the duties of the position during their 1985 Super Bowl season.
His impact on the squad skyrocketed following the departure of General Manager Jim Finks. Tobin started his scouting career for Green Bay in 1971 and was appointed pro scouting director for the Bears under Finks in 1975.General manager Jerry Vainisi was sacked by team president Michael McCaskey following the 1986 season, and Tobin was appointed vice-president of player personnel. That was his title before to joining the Colts. After Vainisi was fired, the Bears did not have a new general manager until they recruited Jerry Angelo in 2001.After the Mike Ditka era concluded at the end of the 1992 season, Tobin went on to become general manager of the Colts.
Born and raised in Burlington Junction, Missouri, Tobin excelled as a running back for the Missouri Tigers from 1959 to 1962. In 1963, he won the AFL rookie of the year award while playing for the Houston Oilers.
Before joining the Bears in 1975—the year they selected Walter Payton with the fourth selection in the draft—he started working as a scout for the Green Bay Packers in 1971.
As the primary personnel figure in the selection of players like as Jim Harbaugh, Neal Anderson, Wilber Marshall, and William “the Refrigerator” Perry, Tobin had a crucial role. Bears legends Dan Hampton, Mike Singletary, and Jimbo Covert—all Hall of Famers—were influenced by his selections.Following the Bears’ victory in Super Bowl XX, Buddy Ryan moved to become defensive coordinator; Tobin’s brother Vince filled his place. Last July, Vince Tobin passed away.Duke, Tobin’s son, is the Cincinnati Bengals’ director of player personnel.