POMONA, Calif. – Roman Gabriel, Cal Poly Pomona's last head football coach, passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 83.
 
Upon being hired at CPP, then university president, Hugh O. LaBounty, stated, "Much to my surprise and amazement, Roman Gabriel, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback from years past, indicated his interest in assuming the responsibility for the program . . . I was delighted with the possibility that Roman might be able to turn our program around."
 
After taking the helm in 1980, Gabriel would accumulate an 8-24 record over the next three seasons for the Green & Gold. His first career win came on September 20^th, 1980, in a 27-7 victory over Sacramento State. His teams would go on to collect wins over San Francsico State, Southern Utah, Cal Poly SLO, Northern Arizona, and Portland State during his tenure.
 
Roman Gabriel CPP Coaching Records
1980     3-7
1981     4-7
1982     1-10
Total     8-24
 
Gabriel resigned as head coach on November 26, 1982, to become the offensive coordinator for the Boston Breakers of the USFL. Cal Poly Pomona, having had just three winning seasons since the retirement of Don Warhurst in 1966, elected to eliminate the football program altogether four days later on November 30, 1982.
 
A two-time First Team All-American, Gabriel was the quarterback at North Carolina State from 1959-1961, setting 22 program records and nine ACC records. He was then drafted second overall in the 1962 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, and enjoyed a decorated 16-year NFL career with the Rams and Eagles. A four-time pro bowler, Gabriel was also named the National Football League MVP during the 1969 season, and became the first Filipino American quarterback in the NFL.
 
His No. 18 jersey was retired by NC State on January 20, 1962, and he was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.