Andy Puplis

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Andy Puplis
Date of birth: February 1, 1915
Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois
Date of death: January 25, 1990
Career information
Position(s): Quarterback, Defensive Back
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight: 180 lb (82 kg)
Jersey №: 1
College: Notre Dame
Organizations
 As player:
1943 Chicago Cardinals
Stats at NFL.com

Andrew Joseph Puplis (born February 1, 1915 in Chicago, Illinois; died January 25, 1990) was an American football player and coach.


Puplis won a Chicago city championship as a quarterback at Harrison Tech High School, compiling a 12-0 record in 1931.[1] At Notre Dame, he joined the football team as both a kicker and a kick and punt returner. In 1936, he became the starting quarterback but still led the team in kickoff returns with 5 for 136 yards. In his senior year in 1937, he earned All-American honors as he led the Irish in scoring and averaged 12.4 yards per play.[2] He also played on the baseball team.

After college, Puplis was hired as the head football coach at Crystal Lake High School before moving on to Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois in 1940, where he would remain until his retirement in 1972, except for a hiatus to spend one year in the Navy during World War II[3], and one year as a defensive back for the Chicago Cardinals in 1943[4]. During his tenure at Proviso East he would coach eventual NFL stars such as Ray Nitschke and Ed O'Bradovich as well as Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson[5], and would compile a record of 128-84-12, including three undefeated seasons[6].


In 1981, Puplis was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association[7].


[edit] References

  1. ^ Illinois H.S.toric. IHSA.org. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
  2. ^ Marder, Spellen & Donovan. The Notre Dame Football Encyclopedia. New York: Kensington Publishing Corp. (2001), p.168-169.
  3. ^ FOOTBALL AND AMERICA: WW II Honor Roll. NFL.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-15.
  4. ^ Andy Puplis: Career Stats. NFL.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
  5. ^ Proviso East. Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
  6. ^ IHSA Season Summaries. IHSA.org. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.
  7. ^ IHSFCA Hall of Fame Selections. IHSFCA.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-03.


Preceded by
Wally Fromhart		 Notre Dame starting quarterbacks
1936 - 1937		 Succeeded by
Steve Sitko