SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Bill Campbell, a management guru to Steve Jobs and other Silicon Valley luminaries, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 75.
Although not widely known outside Silicon Valley, Campbell played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of both Apple and Google, two of the world's most powerful companies. He also was consulted by other technology companies and entrepreneurs trying to manage the rapid growth triggered by their innovations.
Campbell's background gave little inkling he would become a mentor and sounding board for a list of technology-industry leaders that included Apple's late co-founder.
Before moving to Silicon Valley in the 1980s, Campbell spent six seasons as the head coach of Columbia University's football team. He remained known as "Coach" after he became an influential technology-industry adviser.