Bobby Dodd
He was one of only three people inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.
Robert Lee “Bobby” Dodd was a four-sport star at the University of Tennessee and was an All-American tailback playing football for legendary coach Robert Neyland.
After graduation, Dodd took a job as assistant coach at Georgia Tech in 1931, and he remained a Ramblin’ Wreck for 57 years, until his death in 1988.
In 22 seasons as head coach, he won 165 games, including a perfect season and national championship in 1952, 13 bowl games and eight straight wins against arch-rival Georgia.
Dodd’s coaching philosophy was ahead of its time and maybe our time as well. Winning at all costs was not part of his creed. Sportsmanship and the overall growth of his players was.
The National Coach of the Year award is named for Dodd, honoring his unique ability to lead with grace and style. As sportswriter Furman Bisher wrote, there will be only one Bobby Dodd.
The legendary coach of the Flats was born on November 11, 1908, Today in Georgia History.
