Joe Bach

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Joe Bach
Date of birth	November 21, 1898
Date of death	February, 1984
Position(s)	Head Coach
College	Notre Dame
Career Record	21-27-0
Coaching Stats	DatabaseFootball
Team(s) as a coach/administrator
1935-1936 1952-1953	Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Steelers

Joe Bach was one of Notre Dame University's famed "seven mules" and later an NFL coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

At Notre Dame he was a defensive lineman on the 1924 National Title team--the first Irish team to win a championship, and had a pivotal role in Notre Dame's first Rose Bowl trip.

He became the Steelers coach in 1935 directing the young franchise to their best record yet at 4 wins and 8 losses followed by the 1936 campaign in which he coached the Steelers to their first ever non-losing season at 6 wins and 6 losses. He retired following 1936 to go back into college football.

In 1952 he once again became the head coach for the Steelers and this time installed the T-formation for the team, Pittsburgh had been the last franchise to operate the single wing. He continued as head coach through the 1954 season. He produced a 5-7 result during his first and last season with the team but in 1953 posted a .500 record with a 6 win and 6 loss season.

Perhaps the biggest blunder in Steelers history is attributed to Bach, when as head coach he benched a young Pittsburgh born-and-bred Johnny Unitas through an entire training camp before cutting him, allowing the Baltimore Colts to acquire his rights.

Preceded by Luby DiMelio	Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach 1935–1936	Succeeded by John McNally
Preceded by John Michelosen	Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach 1952–1953	Succeeded by Walt Kiesling

Pittsburgh Pirates/Steelers Head Coaches
Douds • DiMelio • Bach • McNally • Kiesling • Bell • Donelli • Kiesling • Leonard • Sutherland • Michelosen • Bach • Kiesling • Parker • Nixon • Austin • Noll • Cowher • Tomlin