Football History

Lawrence Timothy "Buck" Shaw was born on March 28, 1899, in Mitchellville, Iowa. A figure of significant influence in American football, Shaw excelled as a player and achieved considerable success as a coach at both the college and professional levels.  

Shaw started his football journey as one the best players in Notre Dame history and later became the San Francisco 49ers first head coach.

College Career

Shaw's collegiate athletic pursuits began at Creighton University in 1918, where he played one football game before a flu epidemic canceled the remainder of the season. In 1919, he transferred to the University of Notre Dame, initially drawn by their track and field program. However, under the guidance of the legendary Knute Rockne, Shaw became a standout two-way player for the Fighting Irish from 1919 to 1921.

Starting at tackle and also handling placekicking duties, he opened running lanes for the iconic George Gipp. Shaw earned All-American honors as a tackle and was recognized as part of Notre Dame's all-time "Fighting Irish" football team. He also achieved All-American status in track and field for his performance in the shot put at the 1921 NCAA Championships. His kicking accuracy was remarkable, setting a record by converting 38 of 39 extra points, a mark that stood for over five decades.  

Road to the Pro Game

After graduating from Notre Dame, Shaw embarked on a coaching career. He held his first head coaching position at North Carolina State in 1924, followed by four years as a line coach at the University of Nevada. He then joined Santa Clara University as a line coach before taking over as head coach in 1936.

His tenure at Santa Clara was highly successful, marked by an impressive .803 winning record, including consecutive Sugar Bowl victories in 1937 and 1938. During the 1937 season, Buck Shaw's Santa Clara team showcased a formidable defense, conceding a mere nine points across their nine games. Shaw's successful leadership of the Broncos was further emphasized by two significant wins against highly-regarded Louisiana State teams: a 21-14 victory in 1937 and a 6-0 shutout in 1938. Before his impactful time at Santa Clara, Shaw gained head coaching experience at North Carolina State in 1924 and at Nevada from 1925 to 1928.

After a year coaching at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1945, Shaw transitioned to the professional ranks. In 1946, he became the first head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). He continued to coach the 49ers through their entry into the NFL in 1950 until 1954. Following a brief return to college coaching at the Air Force Academy (1956-1957), Shaw returned to the NFL in 1958 as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.  

Football Legacy

Buck Shaw's football legacy is defined by his accomplishments as both a player and a coach. As a player, he was a key contributor to Notre Dame's early success under Rockne, earning All-American honors. However, his coaching career was even more impactful. He built a powerhouse program at Santa Clara, achieving national prominence with Sugar Bowl wins. In the professional ranks, Shaw holds the distinction of being the first head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and, more significantly, led the Philadelphia Eagles to the 1960 NFL Championship, defeating the legendary Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers in what remains the only playoff loss of Lombardi's NFL dynasty. Known as "the Silver Fox," Shaw demonstrated a consistent ability to build winning teams, earning a reputation as a respected and effective leader. His career spanned multiple levels of football, leaving a lasting influence on the sport.  

Accolades, Awards and Career Stats

College (Player):

-All-American Tackle (Notre Dame)

-All-American Shot Put (Notre Dame, 1921)

-Part of Notre Dame's All-Time "Fighting Irish" Football Team

College (Coach):

-2x Sugar Bowl Champion (Santa Clara, 1937, 1938)  

-College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1972)  

-Santa Clara University Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee (1962)  

Professional (Coach):

-NFL Champion (Philadelphia Eagles, 1960)  

-AP & UPI NFL Coach of the Year (1960)

-San Francisco Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (1985)  

-San Jose Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

-Iowa Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

Coaching Record:

-College: 72-49-12

Professional (AAFC/NFL): 91-55-5

-Overall: 163-104-17

Buck Shaw won games coaching at many different programs including the Santa Clara Broncos.

The life and career of Coach Buck Shaw which covers him as a player and a coach. He was the head coach at NC State Wolfpack, Nevada, Santa Clara, California Golden Bears, Air Force Academy in the college ranks. Then he jumped to the NFL with San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.

The San Francisco 49ers origins and their AAFC Team Story, through joining the NFL with Niners Historian Joe Hession