In 1998, coach Buddy Geis joined the Dallas Cowboys staff under new head coach Chan Gailey and over the next three years, with the final season working under head coach Dave Campo, he tutored the legendary and already Hall of Fame-bound Troy Aikman.

A former football coach whose time in the game spanned decades and helped superstars, including Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, has passed away.

According to the Altoona Mirror (Pa.), long-time coach Wayne “Buddy” Geis died on Wednesday.

Geis was 79.

From the paper: “Geis, an Altoona native and 2010 inductee into the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame whose home was in Neptune Beach, Fla., passed away at the age of 79 on Wednesday morning after battling leukemia.”

Geis forged a 30-year career as a mentor in the college and the professional game. He made his mark in college at a number of stops, then coached in the USFL, and finally, in 1988, made his move into the NFL.

He started as a Green Bay Packers staffer, where he is credited with helping develop the stellar rookie Sterling Sharpe, who became Sharpe one of the best wide receivers of his era. Geis moved to the Indianapolis Colts after that, working with quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

And in 1998, he joined the Dallas Cowboys staff under new head coach Chan Gailey and over the next three years, with the final season working under head coach Dave Campo, he tutored among others the legendary and already Hall of Fame-bound Aikman.

Geis is survived by his wife Jere, their son, daughter and several grandchildren. Our thoughts are with Geis’ family and friends at this time.