PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Bill Walsh, former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, died Monday following a battle with leukemia, a source told KCRA 3.

Walsh died at about 11 a.m. at home, officials said. He was 75.

Walsh was head coach with the 49ers from 1979 to 1988, where he won three Super Bowl championships and perfected the schemes that became known as the West Coast offense during his Hall of Fame career.

Prior to that, he served as an assistant coach with the Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers.

A source said Walsh's family was at his side shortly before his death. Walsh announced last November that he had leukemia and that the disease had been diagnosed in 2004.

The soft-spoken native Californian produced a legion of coaching disciples that's still growing today.

Many of his former assistants went on to lead their own teams, handing down Walsh's methods and schemes to dozens more coaches in a tree with innumerable branches.

Walsh twice served as the 49ers' general manager, and George Seifert led San Francisco to two more Super Bowl titles after Walsh left the sideline.

Walsh also coached Stanford during two terms over five seasons.

KCRA 3 sports director Del Rodgers, who was a linebacker for the 49ers and won a Super Bowl ring under Walsh's direction, said it was a privilege to play for the legendary coach.

"Bill was the reason why I'm wearing a Super Bowl ring," Rodgers said.

Rodgers said Walsh had a special gift of being able to communicate well with players.

"It's a sad day for me," Rodgers added.