Emory Bellard, a former Texas A&M and Mississippi State coach credited with developing the wishbone offense when he was an assistant at Texas, has died. He was 83.

Cathy Capps, director of the Texas A&M Lettermen's Association, said Bellard died early Thursday at a care facility in Georgetown in Central Texas.

She said Bellard had Lou Gehrig's disease

Bellard was on Darrell Royal's staff at Texas in 1968 when the Longhorns developed a multiple running back formation that came to be known as the wishbone.

Bellard later led the Aggies to a 48-27 record in seven years before resigning during the 1978 season. He was 37-42 in seven seasons at Mississippi State.

He coached at Texas high schools for more than two decades.