George Welsh (American football)

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George Welsh

Sport Football
Born August 26, 1933 (1933-08-26) (age 74)
Place of birth Coaldale, Pennsylvania
Career highlights
Overall 189-132-4
Coaching stats
College Football DataWarehouse
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1973-81
1982-2000
United States Naval Academy
University of Virginia
College Football Hall of Fame, 2004 (Bio)

George Welsh (born August 26, 1933) is a former American college football coach. He was born in Coaldale, Pennsylvania.

[edit] Coaching career

Welsh was a successful NCAA college football head coach in the second half of the twentieth century. He was head coach at the Naval Academy and the University of Virginia over the course of a 28-year career. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Welsh, who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1956, began his head coaching career at his alma mater in 1973, leading the Midshipmen to three bowl game appearances and their first nine win season in 16 years. In nine seasons, Welsh compiled a record of 55-46-1, making him the school's most successful coach.

Welsh moved on to the University of Virginia in 1982, and over 19 years became the most successful coach in school and Atlantic Coast Conference history. He led the Cavaliers to 12 bowl game appearances, including the school's first, the 1984 Peach Bowl.

Welsh was named ACC Coach of the Year five times and National Coach of the Year three times. He led the Cavaliers to a share of two ACC titles and set a conference record with 13 consecutive seasons of at least seven wins. Upon his retirement after the 2000 season, his 189 career victories ranked him 24th in Division I-A history.

In August 2006, Welsh was selected to lead the US national team in the third World Championship of American Football for the 2007 tournament in Kawasaki, Japan. He was to lead a team of 45 college players who graduate in 2006.[1] He then resigned this position to focus on a new role advising Old Dominion University in creating a new football program.[2]

Preceded by
Dick Bestwick
Virginia Cavaliers Head Coach
1982-2000
Succeeded by
Al Groh
Preceded by
Rick Forzano
Navy Head Coach
1973-1981
Succeeded by
Gary Tranquill