Fritz Heisler
Depauw University (V-5) | |
| 1946–1971 | Cleveland Browns (assistant) |
|---|---|
| 1972–1976 | Cleveland Browns (scout) |
Frederick K. "Fritz" Heisler (May 18, 1915 – March 11, 1982) was a professional American football coach who was an assistant and scout for the Cleveland Browns for 30 years between 1946 and 1976. He was a long-time associate of Paul Brown, the first coach of the team.
Heisler played for Brown when Brown was head coach at
Early life and college
Heisler grew up in
Coaching career
After college, Heisler came back to Massillon as an assistant to Brown.
When the war ended, Brown was hired to coach the Cleveland Browns, a team under formation in the new All-America Football Conference (AAFC).[4] Brown brought Heisler onto his staff as a guard coach, tutoring linemen on both offense and defense.[5] Heisler coached players including Bill Willis and Weldon Humble as the Browns won all four of the AAFC's championships between 1946 and 1949.[6] After the AAFC dissolved, the Browns moved to the more established National Football League starting in 1950. The team won NFL championships in 1950, 1954 and 1955.[7] and 1964.
Heisler transitioned from coaching on offense and defense to working primarily with the team's offensive line in the 1950s.[8] He stayed on after Brown was fired in 1963, and remained Cleveland's top offensive line coach until retiring in 1971.[1] After serving as a scout for the team for another five years, he left football for good in 1976.[1]
Later life and death
Heisler retired to Aurora, Ohio.[1] He suffered a stroke in 1977 that limited him physically, and he died five years later at the Cleveland Clinic during brain surgery.[1] He was married to Evelyn Heisler and had four sons.[1] Heisler was inducted into Miami University's athletics hall of fame in 2006.[2] Heisler was inducted into Miami University's Cradle of Coaches Association in 2016 [9]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Fritz Heisler, helped coach Browns, OSU and Massillon". Cleveland Plain Dealer. March 13, 1982.
- ^ a b "Miami University Announces Athletics Hall of Fame Class for 2006". Miami University. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
- ^ Piascik 2007, p. 18.
- ^ Piascik 2007, pp. 15–16.
- ^ Piascik 2007, pp. 18–19.
- ^ Piascik 2007, pp. 19, 64, 81, 121, 145.
- ^ Piascik 2007, pp. 141, 181, 325, 341.
- ^ Piascik 2007, p. 19.
- ^ "Seven to be Inducted into Cradle of Coaches Association Sept. 9-10". Retrieved 2016-09-13.
Bibliography
- Piascik, Andy (2007). The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns. Lanham, MD: Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58979-571-6.
