By Darin Before he became a household name in San Francisco and a College Football Hall of Famer, Frankie Albert almost walked away from the game entirely—until a revolutionary coaching change turned a “mediocre” tailback into the blueprint for the modern quarterback.
Published in San Francisco Forty-Niners [v.] Baltimore Colts, August 28, 1949, Kezar Stadium. (San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Forty-Niners, 1949), p. 9.
Football Bio
January 27, 1920 – The Quarterback from Stanford University, Frankie Albert, was born. The National Football Foundation shares an excellent story on Frankie. In 1939, Albert had a mediocre sophomore season playing tailback in Stanford’s single-wing offense. His play was so poor that he considered quitting the Stanford squad. The following year, Stanford hired Clark Shaughnessy as the head coach. Known as the “Father of the T Formation,” Shaughnessy recognized that Albert was an excellent ball handler and passer, well-suited to quarterbacking in his revolutionary “T” formation. Stanford set an NCAA record for improvement in 1940, going from a 1-7-1 record in 1939 to a perfect 10-0 mark. Albert received All-America recognition in both his senior and junior seasons. The NFF voters inducted Frankie Albert in 1956 into the College Football Hall of Fame. After college, he played for the San Francisco 49ers for 6 seasons.
Conclusion
Frankie Albert’s career serves as a testament to the importance of the right system and the right leadership. By moving from the single-wing to the T-formation under Clark Shaughnessy, Albert didn’t just save his own football career; he helped pioneer a style of play that would dominate the gridiron for decades to come. His legacy remains etched in the history of both Stanford University and the San Francisco 49ers.
Verified Accolades & Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1956.
- Two-Time All-American: Recognized in both his junior (1940) and senior (1941) seasons.
- NCAA Record Holder: Led Stanford to the greatest single-season turnaround in NCAA history at the time (1-7-1 to 10-0).
- Rose Bowl Champion: Led the 1940 “Wow Boys” to a victory over Nebraska in the 1941 Rose Bowl.
- Pro Football Career: Played 7 professional seasons (6 with the San Francisco 49ers).
- Pro Bowl Selection: Named to the Pro Bowl in 1950.
- San Francisco 49ers Coach: Later served as the head coach for the 49ers (1956–1958).
