By Darin Josh Cody dominated the gridiron as an unstoppable two-way tackle, leading Vanderbilt to massive scoring records and cementing his legacy among early college football’s greatest stars.
Football Bio
June 11, 1892 – Franklin, Tennessee – Vanderbilt’s two-way tackle from 1914 to 1916 and again in 1919, Josh Cody celebrated his birthday.
Just before World War I, Vanderbilt was the shining star of the gridiron in the South. The NFF notes that Josh was the premier lineman on College Football Hall of Fame Coach Dan McGugin’s scoring machine, one of the most potent offensive units in the game’s history.
Cody was a sure tackler and great aggressive blocker who helped the Commodores score 1099 points in 35 games over his four-season varsity career. Cody was an All-Southern honoree in three of those four seasons. World War I interrupted Josh’s collegiate football career, but he returned to capture All- Southern laurels once again in 1919.
Josh Cody was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1970 after the National Football Foundation tabulated its votes. Even after graduation, Cody could not get enough football, so he entered coaching and directed teams at Clemson, Mercer, Vanderbilt, Florida, and Temple.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted as a player in 1970.
- Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1999.
- 3× First-Team All-American: Honored by the Football Writers Association in 1915, 1916, and 1919.
- 3× All-Southern Selection: Earned conference honors in 1915, 1916, and 1919.
- “Point-A-Minute” Anchor: Blocked for a dominant Vanderbilt offense that scored 1,099 points over his four varsity seasons, including 514 points during the 1915 campaign.
- Career Record: Led the Commodores to an impressive 23-9-3 overall record over his 35-game playing career.
- Prolific Coaching Career: Served as a head football coach at Mercer, Clemson, Florida, and Temple, as well as the head basketball coach at Vanderbilt.