Ralph Welch
American football player and coach (1907–1974) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
W. Ralph "Pest" Welch (January 13, 1907 – September 15, 1974) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Washington from 1942 to 1947, compiling a record of 27–20–3. Welch led his 1943 Washington squad to the Rose Bowl, where they lost to USC, 29–0.[1] He played college football at Purdue University as a halfback under head coach James Phelan, whom he followed to Washington as an assistant in 1930.
Biographical details | |
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Born | (1907-01-13)January 13, 1907 Collinsville, Texas, U.S. |
Died | September 15, 1974(1974-09-15) (aged 67) Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
Playing career | |
1927–1929 | Purdue |
Position(s) | Halfback |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
1930–1937 | Washington (assistant) |
1939–1941 | Washington (assistant) |
1942–1947 | Washington |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 27–20–3 |
Bowls | 0–1 |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Awards | |
| |
When Washington athletic director Ray Eckmann removed Phelan after the 1941 season,[2][3][4] he selected Welch to replace him. Popular with the players, Welch wielded a reputation as a great scout of talent. Eckmann retained Welch on a year-to-year basis with an initial $9,000 per season salary, matching Phelan's final salary.[5]
Welch died on September 15, 1974, at University Hospital in Seattle, Washington.[6]