Jimmy Robertson (American football)

James A. Robertson (March 8, 1901 – December 31, 1974) was an American football player and coach.

Jimmy Robertson
Biographical details
Born(1901-03-08)March 8, 1901
Aberdeen, Scotland
DiedDecember 31, 1974(1974-12-31) (aged 73)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Playing career
c. 1920Carnegie Tech
1924–1925Akron Pros
Position(s)Fullback, halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1933Geneva
Head coaching record
Overall7–3
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 Tri-State (1933)

Playing career

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Carnegie Tech

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After playing high school football in Allegheny, Pennsylvania,[1] Robertson was expected to go to West Point.[2] Instead, he went on to college and played college football at Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (now called Carnegie Mellon University).[3] Under coach Walter Steffen,[4] the squad played teams such as Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Michigan State, and USC.[5] Robertson was team captain and proved instrumental to several key victories in school history.[6] He is considered one of the best players in the history of the school.[7]

Akron Pros

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After college, Robertson played for the Akron Pros of the National Football League (NFL) in 1924 and 1925.[8] under head coaches Wayne Brenkert[9] and Scotty Bierce[10] He played for 16 games for Akron, recording statistics on both offense and defense.[11]

Coaching career

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Robertson was the 16th head football coach at Geneva College located in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and he held that position for the 1933 season-the original plan was for him to coach at Geneva for only one year.[12] His coaching record at Geneva was 6–3 Robertson's first game as head coach was a 47 to 0 victory over the California Teacher's College in Pennsylvania.[13] After one season, Robertson was expected to be retained as head coach as late as January 1934.[14]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Geneva Covenanters (Tri-State Conference) (1933)
1933 Geneva 7–3 4–0 1st
Geneva: 7–3 4–0
Total: 7–3
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ Database Football Archived 2011-11-23 at the Wayback Machine Jimmy Robertson
  2. ^ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Sidelights on Sports" by Al Abrams 9 March 1942
  3. ^ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Mirrors of Sport" 7 November 1931
  4. ^ Carnegie Mellon Athletics All-Time Coaching Records
  5. ^ Carnegie Mellon University All-Time Football Scores
  6. ^ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Tech Scored First Grid Win Over Wash-Jeff 26 Years Ago" by Jack Sell, 30 October 1946
  7. ^ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Tech Clan Honors Stars" 17 January 1942
  8. ^ Pro Football Reference James Robertson
  9. ^ Pro Football Reference 1924 Akron Pros
  10. ^ Pro Football Reference 1925 Akron Pros
  11. ^ JT-SW.com James Robertson
  12. ^ New Castle News "Here and There in Sports" 27 March 1933
  13. ^ New York Times "GENEVA VICTOR, 47 TO 0.; Opens Football Season by Routing California Teachers." 23 September 1933
  14. ^ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Act on Genevea Coaches Soon-Robertson, Schmidt are Certain to Remain" 27 January 1934
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