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As a wide receiver, Ulmo Shannon “Sonny” Randle had a simple game plan.

“I ran real fast, and if guys were chasing me, I ran even faster,” he said.

Mr. Randle starred as a University of Virginia receiver and kick returner before playing a decade in the NFL, and then went on to coach at Virginia, East Carolina and Marshall. Mr. Randle, born in Fluvanna County and a student at Fork Union Military Academy from kindergarten through his 1954 graduation, died Wednesday at 81 after a period declining health. He had been living in Staunton.

Mr. Randle ran the 100-yard dash in 9.6 seconds and that speed helped him make 365 catches for 5,996 yards for the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. Four times Mr. Randle was named All-Pro. He caught 16 passes for 257 yards in one game.

In 1958 at U.Va., Mr. Randle led the ACC in receiving (47 catches for 642 yards), and the nation in kickoff returns (24.1 ypr).

His first college coaching job was at East Carolina (1971-73), and Mr. Randle led the Pirates to a pair of nine-win seasons among his three at the school. He then took over at Virginia. The Cavaliers went 4-7 in 1974 and 1-10 in 1975 in his two seasons, with a combined ACC record of 1-10.