James DeHart
Encyclopedia
James "Jimmy" DeHart was an American college football
coach. He served as the head coach at Duke University
from 1926 to 1930 and Washington & Lee University from 1922 to 1925 and again from 1930 to 1931. DeHart also served as an assistant on the coaching staff at the University of Georgia
. In 1935, he signed a contract to become the head coach at Southwestern University
in Memphis, Tennessee
, but fell ill and died while relocating. He attended the University of Pittsburgh
, where he played football
from 1914 to 1916 and in 1918, where he was hailed as a "star". DeHart played quarterback under head coach Glenn "Pop" Warner
and led the 1916 team to an undefeated season. He also earned letters in basketball, baseball, and track at Pittsburgh. DeHart put his college education on hiatus to serve in the United States Army
during the First World War. As a lieutenant in the Aviation Section
, he coached a service team at Mather Field
. He returned to Pittsburgh after his time in the Army. After graduation, he coached the backfield
at the University of Georgia
from 1920 to 1921. DeHart then became the head coach at Washington & Lee University from 1922 to 1925.
College 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. He served as the head coach at Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
from 1926 to 1930 and Washington & Lee University from 1922 to 1925 and again from 1930 to 1931. DeHart also served as an assistant on the coaching staff at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
. In 1935, he signed a contract to become the head coach at Southwestern University
Rhodes College
Rhodes College is a private, predominantly undergraduate, liberal arts college located in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Originally founded by freemasons in 1848, Rhodes became affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in 1855. Rhodes enrolls approximately 1,700 students pursuing bachelor's and master's...
in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
, but fell ill and died while relocating. He attended 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...
, where he played football
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
from 1914 to 1916 and in 1918, where he was hailed as a "star". DeHart played quarterback under head coach Glenn "Pop" Warner
Glenn Scobey Warner
Glenn Scobey Warner , most commonly known as Pop Warner, was an American football player and coach...
and led the 1916 team to an undefeated season. He also earned letters in basketball, baseball, and track at Pittsburgh. DeHart put his college education on hiatus to serve in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the First World War. As a lieutenant in the Aviation Section
Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps
The Aviation Section, Signal Corps, was the military aviation service of the United States Army from 1914 to 1918, and a direct ancestor of the United States Air Force. It replaced and absorbed the Aeronautical Division, Signal Corps, and was succeeded briefly by the Division of Military...
, he coached a service team at Mather Field
Mather Air Force Base
Mather Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force Base located east of Sacramento at Rancho Cordova, California on the south side of U.S. Route 50....
. He returned to Pittsburgh after his time in the Army. After graduation, he coached the backfield
Backfield
The backfield is the area of an American football field behind the line of scrimmage. The backfield or offensive backfield can also refer to members of offense who begin plays behind the line, typically including any backs on the field, such as the quarterback, running back, and/or fullback.-Play...
at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
from 1920 to 1921. DeHart then became the head coach at Washington & Lee University from 1922 to 1925.