Bill Daddio
Encyclopedia
Louis William "Bill" Daddio (April 26, 1916 – July 5, 1989) was an American football
player, coach, and scout in the United States. He was an All-American
at end at the University of Pittsburgh
and played with the Chicago Cardinals of the NFL
(1941–1942) and the Buffalo Bisons
of the All-America Football Conference
(1946). Daddio served as the head football coach at Allegheny College
from 1947 to 1951, compiling a record of 14–18–5. He was later an assistant football coach at Purdue University
and the University of Notre Dame
and a personnel director for the Philadelphia Eagles
. From 1969 until his retirement in 1987, he worked as a scout for the Denver Broncos
.
. After a successful high school career, he moved to the University of Pittsburgh
to play under coach Jock Sutherland
. Daddio led the Panthers in receiving during the 1936 season. In each of his final two seasons at Pitt, 1937 and 1938, he was recognized as an All-American
. During the 1937 Rose Bowl
against the Washington Huskies, Daddio contributed significantly in the run game and returned an interception 71 yards in the fourth quarter to secure a victory for the Panthers. In 1953, Daddio retroactively received the Rose Bowl Player of the Game Award for the 1937 contest in Pasadena
. In 1992, Daddio was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame.
Daddio was selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the fifth round of the 1939 NFL Draft
, rejoining former Pitt teammate Marshall "Biggie" Goldberg
. He played two seasons with the Cardinals. His versatile play earned him second team All-Pro
honors in 1942.
Daddio spent over two years with the United States Navy
during World War II
as a gunnery officer. For his service overseas, he was honored with the Bronze Star
. Daddio's final of year of professional football came in 1946 as a player-coach
with the Buffalo Bisons
of the All-America Football Conference
. He converted on all three extra points that he attempted that season.
coach for the Allegheny
Gators located in Meadville, Pennsylvania
. He held that position for five seasons, from 1947 until 1951. His coaching record at Allegheny was 14–18–5. As of the conclusion of the 2010 season, this ranks him #9 at Allegheny in total wins and #19 at the school in winning percentage . Following his stint at Allegheny, Daddio took a position under Stu Holcomb
at Purdue University
and continued there under Jack Mollenkopf
until 1958. In 1969, Daddio became a scout with the Denver Broncos
.
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player, coach, and scout in the United States. He was an All-American
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
at end at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
and played with the Chicago Cardinals of the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(1941–1942) and the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bills (AAFC)
The Buffalo Bills was an American Football team, based in Buffalo, NY, that played in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949. During its first season in 1946, the team was known as the Buffalo Bisons...
of the All-America Football Conference
All-America Football Conference
The All-America Football Conference was a professional American football league that challenged the established National Football League from 1946 to 1949. One of the NFL's most formidable challengers, the AAFC attracted many of the nation's best players, and introduced many lasting innovations...
(1946). Daddio served as the head football coach at Allegheny College
Allegheny College
Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the town of Meadville. Founded in 1815, the college has about 2,100 undergraduate students.-Early history:...
from 1947 to 1951, compiling a record of 14–18–5. He was later an assistant football coach at Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
and the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and a personnel director for the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. From 1969 until his retirement in 1987, he worked as a scout for the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Playing career and military service
Daddio was an All-State performer at Meadville High School in Meadville, PennsylvaniaMeadville, Pennsylvania
Meadville is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State and is within 40 miles of Erie, Pennsylvania. It was the first permanent settlement in northwest Pennsylvania...
. After a successful high school career, he moved to the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
to play under coach Jock Sutherland
Jock Sutherland
Dr. John Bain "Jock" Sutherland, D.D.S., was an American football coach. He coached college football at Lafayette College and the University of Pittsburgh and professional football for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Steelers...
. Daddio led the Panthers in receiving during the 1936 season. In each of his final two seasons at Pitt, 1937 and 1938, he was recognized as an All-American
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
. During the 1937 Rose Bowl
1937 Rose Bowl
The 1937 Rose Bowl was the 23rd Rose Bowl game, an American post-season college football game that was played on New Year's Day 1937 in Pasadena, California. It featured the Pittsburgh Panthers against the Washington Huskies. The Rose Bowl seating was increased to 87,677.-External links:*...
against the Washington Huskies, Daddio contributed significantly in the run game and returned an interception 71 yards in the fourth quarter to secure a victory for the Panthers. In 1953, Daddio retroactively received the Rose Bowl Player of the Game Award for the 1937 contest in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
. In 1992, Daddio was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame.
Daddio was selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the fifth round of the 1939 NFL Draft
1939 NFL Draft
The 1939 National Football League Draft was held on December 9, 1938.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round Two:-Round Three:-Round Four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
, rejoining former Pitt teammate Marshall "Biggie" Goldberg
Marshall Goldberg
Marshall Goldberg was an American football halfback with the Chicago Cardinals in the National Football League.- Football career :Goldberg was born in Elkins, West Virginia...
. He played two seasons with the Cardinals. His versatile play earned him second team All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
honors in 1942.
Daddio spent over two years with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as a gunnery officer. For his service overseas, he was honored with the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
. Daddio's final of year of professional football came in 1946 as a player-coach
Player-coach
A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....
with the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bills (AAFC)
The Buffalo Bills was an American Football team, based in Buffalo, NY, that played in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949. During its first season in 1946, the team was known as the Buffalo Bisons...
of the All-America Football Conference
All-America Football Conference
The All-America Football Conference was a professional American football league that challenged the established National Football League from 1946 to 1949. One of the NFL's most formidable challengers, the AAFC attracted many of the nation's best players, and introduced many lasting innovations...
. He converted on all three extra points that he attempted that season.
Coaching and scouting career
Daddio was the head college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
coach for the Allegheny
Allegheny College
Allegheny College is a private liberal arts college located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the town of Meadville. Founded in 1815, the college has about 2,100 undergraduate students.-Early history:...
Gators located in Meadville, Pennsylvania
Meadville, Pennsylvania
Meadville is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State and is within 40 miles of Erie, Pennsylvania. It was the first permanent settlement in northwest Pennsylvania...
. He held that position for five seasons, from 1947 until 1951. His coaching record at Allegheny was 14–18–5. As of the conclusion of the 2010 season, this ranks him #9 at Allegheny in total wins and #19 at the school in winning percentage . Following his stint at Allegheny, Daddio took a position under Stu Holcomb
Stu Holcomb
Stuart K. Holcomb was an American football and basketball coach best known for serving as head football coach for Miami University and Purdue University . Before coaching, Holcomb was a starting halfback at Ohio State University and the captain of the 1931 Buckeyes football team...
at Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
and continued there under Jack Mollenkopf
Jack Mollenkopf
-External links:* at Indiana Football Hall of Fame...
until 1958. In 1969, Daddio became a scout with the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Death
Daddio died of a heart attack at the age of 73 on July 5, 1989 at St. Clair Memorial Hospital in Mt. Lebanon, PennsylvaniaMt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Mt. Lebanon is a home rule municipality, formerly a township, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 33,137 at the 2010 census....
.