DETROIT (Associated Press) - Monte Clark, who coached the Detroit Lions for seven years and led them to the playoffs in 1982 and 1983, died Wednesday. He was 72.

He died at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, the team said. He had a bone marrow malignancy associated with lung and liver disease.

He was the offensive line coach for the Miami Dolphins team that went 17-0 in 1972. He became the Lions' coach in 1978. Under Clark, the Lions went 43-63-1 and made back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since their three straight playoff runs from 1952-54. The Lions lost both games.

Seven players were named to 14 Pro Bowls during Clark's stay in Detroit, including lineman Al "Bubba" Baker, running back Billy Sims and kicker Eddie Murray.

Clark was born in Kingsburg, Calif., and starred as an offensive lineman at Southern California before San Francisco drafted him in 1959. He spent three seasons with the 49ers and one with the Dallas Cowboys before playing for the Cleveland Browns from 1963-69.

He served as an assistant in Miami from 1970-75 before becoming head coach in San Francisco in 1976, leading the 49ers to an 8-6 record. He joined the Lions as a consultant.

After his coaching career, Clark was a football broadcaster in Detroit and color analyst for the University of Michigan. He was a sideline reporter for the Michigan State radio network in 1992.