George Blackburn

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George Blackburn (October 14, 1913May 15, 2006) was an American football coach best known for serving as head coach for Miami University, University of Cincinnati and the University of Virginia. A native of Columbus, Ohio, and a 1936 graduate of Findlay College, he had a career record as a head coach of 61-60 -7. He was also an assistant coach under coaching legends Sid Gillman at Miami University, and the University of Cincinnati and Earl Blaik at Army.

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[edit] Head coaching career

[edit] Miami University

As an assistant, Blackburn helped Sid Gillman lead the Redskins to a victory over Texas Tech in the 1947 Sun Bowl. Blackburn was named head coach for the 1948 season after Gillman left. He stayed for only one season leading Miami to 7-1-1 record and the 1948 Mid-American Conference Championship. In 1949, Sid Gillman took the head coaching position at the University of Cincinnati and raided Miami of lots of talent including Blackburn, who became Gillman assistant coach. This move added fuel to the fire of the Miami/UC rivalry. Woody Hayes succeeded Blackburn for the 1949 season.

Miami University record

Year Overall (MAC /place) Bowl Game
1948 7-1-1 (4-0/1st) None

[edit] University of Cincinnati

When Gillman left UC for the Los Angeles Rams for the 1955 season, Blackburn replaced him again. In his six years as Bearcats’ head coach he compiled an overall record of 25-27-6.

University of Cincinnati record

Year Overall (MVC /place) Bowl Game
1955 1-6-2 (--/--) #
1956 4-5 (--/--) #
1957 5-4-1 (1-3-1/4th)
1958 6-2-2 (1-2-2/2nd)
1959 5-4-1 (0-3-1/5th)
1960 4-6 (1-2/3rd)

# independent

[edit] University of Virginia

Blackburn was an assistant under Bill Elias for one season at Virginia before being named head coach in 1965. His six years as Virginia’s head coach he compiled an overall record of 29-32. In 1968, he was named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year for leading the Cavaliers to a 7-3 record.

University of Virginia record

Year Overall (ACC/place) Bowl Game
1965 5-5 (2-4/7th)
1966 4-6 (3-3/3rd T)
1967 5-5 (3-3/4th)
1968 7-3 (3-2/3rd)
1969 3-7 (1-5/8th)
1970 5-6 (0-6/8th)

[edit] NFL scout

After his last season at UVA, Blackburn spent seventeen years as a professional football scout with the New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers, and New England Patriots.


[edit] External links

[edit] References

Preceded by
Sid Gillman
Miami University Head Football Coaches
1948
Succeeded by
Woody Hayes
Preceded by
Sid Gillman
Cincinnati Bearcats Head Football Coaches
1955-1960
Succeeded by
Chuck Studley
Preceded by
Bill Elias
Virginia Cavaliers Head Football Coaches
1965-1970
Succeeded by
Don Lawrence