By Darin Harold “Brick” Muller defines the early era of California Golden Bears football with his unmatched athleticism and legendary two-way dominance. As the cornerstone of the undefeated “Wonder Teams,” he combines Olympic-level leaping ability with gridiron grit to rewrite the West Coast record books.
Football Bio
June 12, 1901 – Dunsmuir, California – Harold Muller, the two-way end of the University of California from 1920 through the 1922 season, was born into this life.
The description of Harold in his bio on the FootballFoundation.org sounds like he was made in a football laboratory or chiseled from stone.
He seemed to be built perfectly for football, as the NFF says, “ Those huge, sled-like hands could throw a football 60 yards on a line. The feet darted with deceptive swiftness. The legs were of Olympic high-jump spring. Harold “Brick” Muller was the mold of a marvelous athlete.”
Muller’s soft hands could snatch a pass out of the air with ease, and he had the legs of an Olympian because he competed and then captured an Olympic Silver Medal in the 1920 high jump.
On the collegiate gridiron, Brick never suffered a loss as part of Cal’s “Wonder Teams” of coach Andy Smith.
Harold Brick Muller’s collegiate football records are celebrated in the College Football Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 1951.
Harold “Brick” Muller cements his legacy as one of the greatest all-around athletes in American sports history. He anchors the legendary Cal “Wonder Teams” to perfection, executes one of the most famous passes in early Rose Bowl history, and proves that true athletic greatness transcends a single sport. His enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame ensures future generations will remember his extraordinary, multi-talented career.
You can learn more about Brick Muller in our book, When Greasy Met the Wonder Coach.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1951.
- Olympic Silver Medalist: Won silver in the high jump at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp.
- 2× Consensus First-Team All-American: 1921, 1922 (First East Coast recognized All-American from the West Coast).
- Undefeated Collegiate Career: Played a pivotal role on coach Andy Smith’s “Wonder Teams” that did not lose a single game from 1920 to 1922.
- Rose Bowl Champion (1921): Led Cal to a 28-0 victory over Ohio State, highlighted by Muller throwing a historic 53-yard touchdown pass.
- NFL Career: Played for the Los Angeles Buccaneers in 1926, where he also served as the team’s head coach.
- Cal Athletic Hall of Fame: Inducted as a charter member in 1986.