Football Daily

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Stewart Ferguson was a college football coach who did things in a style quite differently than most any coach in any sports you have ever known about. Author Peter Oltchick picked up where his dearly departed Father-In-Law, Journalist Bill Bell left off to complete a book on the famed Coach Fergie. From special coaching contracts to barnstorming antics of the gridiron, the adventures of Stewart Ferguson are a refreshing story of a unique coach.

Born September 11, 1913, in Arkansas, was College Football Hall of Fame Coach Paul Bear Bryant. Coach set a record (which was later broken) for the most games won in a collegiate coach's career, The majority of the NCAA victories came during his tenure (1958–82) at the University of Alabama. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships. Prior to heading up the Crimson Tide, Bryant was head football coach at the University of Maryland, the University of Kentucky, and Texas A&M University.

Born March 16, 1920, in Townsend, Tennessee, was the legendary football player from William and Mary, Garrard Buster Ramsey. His great play at the collegiate level produced results and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Ramsey, after college, played ball in the NFL for the Chicago Cardinals. He served as a player/coach there and then left to become the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator in 1952. During his tenure with the Lions, Ramsey developed the 4-3 defense, a staple of modern football. In addition, he was the first coach to blitz linebackers in a package he called Red Dog. and later was hired by Ralph Wilson as the first Head Coach of the AFL/NFL Buffalo Bills franchise.

Hube Wagner was an American football player and surgeon who enjoyed a brief but impactful career as an athlete:

Football Career (1910-1913):

-Starred as a versatile player for the University of Pittsburgh, excelling at end, halfback, and even quarterback.

-Led the undefeated 1910 Pitt team to a national championship.

-Known for his aggressive tackling, decisive running, and exceptional passing skills.

-Earned All-American honors in 1913.

-Considered one of the greatest athletes in the University of Pittsburgh's history.

Gridiron Legacy:

-Although his playing career was short, his impact on Pitt football was significant. He helped establish the program as a national power and remains one of its most celebrated alumni.

-His versatility and athleticism paved the way for future generations of multi-positional players.

-After ending his football career, Wagner became a prominent surgeon in Pittsburgh, showcasing his dedication and intelligence beyond the gridiron.

-In 1915, he was on the roster of the Canton Bulldogs.

While Hube Wagner's playing career only spanned a few years, his talent, achievements, and connection to the University of Pittsburgh solidified his place among the program's legends. His versatility and athleticism remain an inspiration for future generations of athletes.

October 31, 1900 - Keytesville, Missouri - Cal Hubbard was born on that day and he was a tackle for Centenary and Geneva Colleges. The NFF informs us that Cal Hubbard played end and tackle for Centenary 1922-24 and then moved with his coach Bo McMillin to play one season at Geneva College 1926. Later as a pro Hubbard was a big tackle, standing 6-4 in height and weighing 250 pounds, for the New York Giants, Green Bay and Pittsburgh franchises. The College Football Hall of Fame added Cal to their lineup in 1962. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Cal Hubbard one year later in 1963 for back to back Hall of Fame Enshrinements! Believe it or not 13 years after that in 1976 Cal Hubbard was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as an umpire.

Born February 14, 1960 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - The outstanding quarterback from the Miami Hurciane’s program Jim Kelly was born. The Buffalo Bills selected Kelly in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft but the signal caller decided to sign with the USFL’s Houston Gamblers franchise instead.

The 6’-4” 225 quarterback spent two seasons with the Gamblers and threw for 9,842 yards and a whopping 83 touchdowns per the ProFootballHOF.com website. When the USFL folded Jim signed on with the NFL team that originally drafted him, the Bills in 1986. It was a perfect fit for both parties as Kelly ran the famed “no Huddle” fast paced offense of Coach Marv Levy to a tee. Having offensive weapons like running back Thurmon Thomas and receivers Andre Reid and James Lofton didn’t hurt either.

The Bills played in four straight Super Bowls in the 1990’s led by Kelly’s arm. In Jim’s 11 seasons with the Bills, he led the Bills to the AFC playoffs eight times. In those 17 playoff appearances, including four the Super Bowls, Kelly tossed the ball for 3,863 yards and 21 touchdowns! Jim Kelly was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Born May 28, 1887, near Prague, Indian Territory
(what is now Oklahoma), was College and Pro Football Hall of Fame player Jim Thorpe. Thorpe was an early NFL player and a Gold Medalist Olympian. What made all of these accomplishments even more impressive was that Thorpe was also breaking race barriers to do so as he was a Native American. Born on a reservation, he ended up playing football for the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, under legendary Coach Pop Warner. Thorpe not only won the pentathlon and the decathlon in the 1912 Olympic games for the US and played football, but he was also successful at playing baseball and basketball. As a pro football player, Jim played for the Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents, and the New York Giants. One season with the Rock Island Independents wore Number 1. He started playing in the NFL at 33 till he was 41. NFL Jersey 2. NFL Jersey 21. NFL Jersey 3. NFL Jersey 1.

Born August 3, 1898, in Denison, Iowa was Gordon Locke was fullback from Iowa that entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 1960. He was a key factor in Iowa's first ever game with rival Ohio State in 1926 as he rushed for 126 hard fought yards and 2 touchdowns per the FootballFoundation.org. After his playing days Mr. Locke became the head coach at Western Reserve University, which is now a part of Case-Western Reserve.

Born August 31, 1918, in Los Angeles, California, was Kenny Washington, a tailback hailing from UCLA. Washington has the destinction of being the first African American player to sign a contract in the NFL in the common era (after World War II) with the L.A. Rams after playing in the Pacific Coast League with the Hollywood Bears. As a collegian Kenny Washington rushed for 9,975 yards which was a Bruin record for over 56 years! He was also UCLA's very first ever consensus All-American in 1939. Mr. Washington was enshrined in the College Football hall of Fame in 1956.

The Kirksville, Missouri School of Osteopathy and their famous coach Pat O'Dea, "the Kangaroo Kicker."