Buddy Geis passed away on July 2, 2025, at the age of 79 after a battle with leukemia at his home in Neptune Beach, Florida.
Though the exact duration hasn’t been publicly specified, he had been battling leukemia for several months before his passing.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jere, and two children, Adam and Jeni.
Buddy Geis Was A Legendary Football Coach Whose Career Spanned Over 35 Years!
Known to fans as Buddy, Wayne Geis was a respected player-coach in the American Football League.
Originally from Altoona, Pennsylvania, and later residing in Neptune Beach, Florida, he was a talented high school athlete.
A standout athlete at Altoona Area High School, he graduated in 1965.
He played multiple positions, including wide receiver, running back, and defensive back, for the Altoona Mountain Lions.
After high school, he began his college playing career at Flagstaff, Arizona, then moved to Trinidad, Colorado, where he played as a wide receiver. He eventually landed at Lock Haven State College.
In 1974-1976, he served as a graduate assistant at the University of Arizona. Later, he became a coach and spent over 30 years in the profession.
He worked at colleges like Tulane, Kansas, Memphis State, and Georgia Tech. Likewise, he coached in the NFL with teams such as the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, and Dallas Cowboys.
Moreover, Geis coached several well-known players, including Sterling Sharpe, Jim Harbaugh, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Calvin Johnson.
After retiring, he stayed involved in athletic training in Florida and spent quality time with his family.
Geis battled leukemia quietly for several months before passing away at his home in Neptune Beach, Florida, on July 2, 2025.
His wife of over 50 years, Jere, son Adam, and daughter Jeni, along with countless friends and former players, are mourning his loss.
Jere, who stood by him through every coaching chapter, called him her “exclamation point.”
While Adam, now a high school coach, credits his father for instilling in him a love of the game and a sense of integrity in leadership.
Jeni, a nurse, shared that her father’s laughter and strength shaped her approach to care and compassion.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world, from former colleagues and athletes.
One of Buddy’s well-wishers described him as a great person and paid tribute, saying:
I recall all these names, We went to all the games, He was a great person
Prayers for the family, RIP Buddy
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Buddy Geis’s family, friends, and well-wishers.
Rest In Peace, Legend!
In Case You Didn’t Know
- He was inducted into the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 for his lifelong contributions to football.
- Geis was a football coach in the NFL from 1988 to 2000.
