Nick Skorich, 83, NFL head coach

PHILADELPHIA -- Nick Skorich, head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns, and the offensive line coach on the Eagles 1960 championship team, died Saturday night after recent heart-valve surgery. He was 83.

A longtime resident of Princeton, N.J., Mr. Skorich was associated with the NFL as a player, coach, and supervisor of officials for more than 50 years.

When he was promoted to head coach of the Eagles in 1961, replacing Buck Shaw, Eagles star quarterback Norm Van Brocklin criticized the move. Mr. Skorich was replaced for the 1964 season.

He was named the Cleveland Browns' head coach in 1971, leading the team to the AFC Central title that year with a 9-5 mark.

He had a 45-48-5 record in seven seasons as a head coach with Philadelphia and Cleveland.

Mr. Skorich, a 15th-round draft choice in 1943 out of the University of Cincinnati, played for the Pittsburgh Steelers 1946 to 1948.