Longtime NFL defensive line coach Bob Karmelowicz passed away this weekend after an illness.

Karmelowicz was 60.

After coaching offensive and defensive lines at Arizona State (OL, 1975-79), UMASS (OL, 1980), UTEP (OL, 1981), UNLV (DL, 1982), Illinois (DL, 1983-85, OL 1986), Washington State (DL, 1987-88), and the University of Miami (DL, 1989-91), Karmelowicz entered the NFL coaching ranks with the Cincinnati Bengals, coaching their defensive line in 1992 and 1993.

While at the "U", Karmelowicz coached Warren Sapp, Cortez Kennedy, and Russell Maryland.

Karmelowicz jumped to the NFL, where he coached defensive lines for the Washington Redskins (1994-96), Kansas City Chiefs (1997-2005), Houston Texans (2006-08) and spent last season with the Detroit Lions before retiring in January. He was replaced in Detroit by Kris Kocurek, a 2001 seventh-round draft choice of the Seattle Seahawks.

Karmelowicz also did some freelance work, helping Minnesota Vikings All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen, who he coached in Kansas City in 2004-05, with his technique in 2008.

"I trust Karm and believe in what he says," Allen told Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune last year. "He belongs in the league; he can make anyone better."

A native of Plainville, Connecticut, Karmelowicz, who played nose tackle at the University of Bridgeport, leaves behind his wife, Olga, two daughters, Liz and Marissa, and a son, David.

Visitation is at 9 a.m. and Mass is at 10 a.m. Friday, May 7 at the Church of the Divine Child in Dearborn, Michigan.