Dick Tomey, who returned respectability to San Jose State’s football program as its coach

more than a decade ago, is undergoing treatment for lung cancer, his family revealed Friday.

Tomey, 80, is being treated and evaluated at a Texas hospital after recently receiving his diagnosis, according to his family in Arizona.

“We (Coach and his family) greatly appreciate all the people who have reached out to help in so many ways and all the expressions of love and well-wishes being sent our way from so many people,” the Tomey family said in a statement. “Following (his) example, our family is feeling very grateful and hopeful for a positive outcome.”

Although best known for coaching the University of Arizona football teams from 1987-2000 and winning a school-record 95 games there, Tomey also had quite a positive effect in San Jose.

Tomey’s five-year stay in San Jose was highlighted by a 2006 season that featured a 9-4 record and the Spartans’ first bowl game appearance in 16 years. Under Tomey, the Spartans beat host New Mexico in the inaugural New Mexico Bowl after the 2006 regular season. Overall, Tomey’s Spartans went 25-35 in five seasons.

The Spartans athletic department released a heartfelt statement Friday.

“The entire San Jose State University community is saddened to learn that beloved football coach Dick Tomey is undergoing treatment for lung cancer,” the statement read. “We hold Coach Tomey in very high regard for everything he has done for our university and, specifically, for our football program since he became a member of family in 2005.

“Our best wishes go out to Coach Tomey, his family and all who love and adore him during this challenging time.” Related Articles Oakland A’s clinch postseason spot with win over Giants, Mariners loss

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Tomey not only changed fortunes on the field in San Jose, he helped the Spartans overhaul some academic deficiencies to become one of the model programs in FBS for academic reform.

After leaving Arizona following the 2000 season, Tomey served as a 49ers assistant under head coach Dennis Erickson in 2003. His last coaching stop was in Hawaii when he was its special teams coach in 2011.