Walter Koppisch
No. 16, 0 | |||||
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Position: | Halfback | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Born: | Pendleton, New York, U.S. | June 6, 1901||||
Died: | November 5, 1953 New York, New York, U.S. | (aged 52)||||
Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||
Weight: | 180 lb (82 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Masten Park (Buffalo, New York) | ||||
College: | Columbia (1921–1924) | ||||
Career history | |||||
As a player: | |||||
As a coach: | |||||
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Career highlights and awards | |||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Head coaching record | |||||
Career: | 1–6–2 (.222) | ||||
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||
Coaching stats at PFR | |||||
Walter Frederic Koppisch (June 6, 1901 – November 5, 1953) was an American football halfback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Buffalo Bisons and the New York Giants. He played college football for the Columbia Lions.
At age 23, he was named the head coach of the Buffalo Bisons, making him among the youngest head coaches in NFL history.[citation needed]
He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
Career
High school and college football
While playing high school ball at Masten Park High, now
NFL
Buffalo
In September 1925, it was announced that Koppisch would be returning to Buffalo to coach the Buffalo Bisons. He was only 23 years-old at the time, making him one of the youngest head coaches in NFL history. However, the newly established New York Giants were seeking a well-known player which they could build a team around, and Koppisch was the top name on their list. According to Harry March, in his book Pro Football: Its Ups and Downs (the accuracy of which is disputed), the Giants stopped pursuing Koppisch at the request of the Bisons.
While expectations were high for the Bisons in 1925, the reality was that the team needed to undergo a rebuilding process. Many of the team's top players from the previous season had left the team. These players included mainstays Tommy Hughitt, Benny Boynton, Pete Calac, and Eddie Kaw. Upon assuming the job of coach, Koppisch implemented the same system that was in use at Columbia University by coach Frank "Buck" O'Neill, with himself as the offense's focal point. Meanwhile, the new players consisted of stand-out collegians, but not one of them an All-American.
Leak dispute with the media
At one point, the
Rough start
The Bisons 1925 season, ended with a 1-6-2 record. The team began the season with back-to-back losses against the Frankford Yellow Jackets and Pottsville Maroons. They then posted scoreless ties against the Rochester Jeffersons and Akron Pros. During the Rochester game, Koppisch and Jim Kendrick made huge runs on offense. However, the Jeffersons defense stopped the Bisons from scoring. Meanwhile, during the Akron showdown, the Bisons defense held future Hall of Famer Fritz Pollard in check throughout the game, allowing the Pros just seven first downs for the entire game. However, the Pros defense held Buffalo to only two first downs. The team's only victory in 1925 came in a 17–6 win against the Columbus Tigers.
Playing through pain
On October 22, Koppisch was involved in an automobile accident. He received some bad cuts and bruises on his legs, and was advised to sit out a few games to allow his injuries to heal. This forced Koppisch to miss the November 1 rematch against Frankford. The Bisons would go on to lose that game 12–3. Meanwhile, Koppisch was forced to miss a second game at
Termination
The Bisons did not ask Koppisch to return as coach for the 1926 season. While Buffalo expected him to challenge for the NFL title, the environment in the city proved that challenge to be impossible. The franchise suffered from years of declining attendance, which in turn meant little money with which the team could sign decent players. Meanwhile, many of the NFL's top team were able to exploit Buffalo's inexperienced team.
Retirement
In 1926, Koppisch signed with the New York Giants, playing under head coach
Koppisch remained in New York City after his playing career and became a
Head coaching record
Team | Year | Regular Season | Post Season | |||||||
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Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
BUF | 1925 | 1 | 6 | 2 | .222 | 15th in NFL | – | – | – | – |
BUF Total | 1 | 6 | 2 | .222 | – | – | – | – | ||
NFL Total[1] | 1 | 6 | 2 | .222 | – | – | – | – | ||
Total | 1 | 6 | 2 | .222 | – | – | – | – |
References
- ^ "Walt Koppisch Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
External links
- Walter Koppisch at the College Football Hall of Fame
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference
- Walter Koppisch at Find a Grave