Stagg, Amos Alonzo (1862–1965)

US football coach who had a 72-year coaching career. He was a successful coach at the University of Chicago 1882– 1932, and at College of Pacific 1933–46. After retiring as a head coach, he continued as an assistant until he was 98. He was also an innovative football coach, inventing strategies that became standard for other coaches.

He was born in West Orange, New Jersey. Always a spokesperson for fair, clean sport, he was nicknamed ‘Mr Integrity’. He was named to the first All-America team in 1889. At Chicago, he produced four undefeated teams and won seven Western Conference titles. He won Coach of the Year honours in 1943 at age 81 when his team won seven games against major competition.