John Pont

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John Pont is an American college football coach who has served as head coach at Miami University, Yale University, Northwestern University and Indiana University. He is the only Indiana University coach to take a team to the Rose Bowl. Later in his career, Pont was recruited to start a football program at Cincinnati's College of Mount St. Joseph. Pont later served as coach and consultant in creating a semi-professional football league in Japan. He was honored as NCAA Division I-A coach of the year in 1967, the year his Hoosiers appeared in the Rose Bowl. He is a member of the Cradle of Coaches and the Miami and Indiana Athletic Halls of Fame as well as the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.

John Pont's number 42 displayed at Yager Stadium.  Pont is one of 3 football players to have his number retired by Miami University
John Pont's number 42 displayed at Yager Stadium. Pont is one of 3 football players to have his number retired by Miami University

As an undergraduate, he was an outstanding halfback at Miami University, playing for coach Woody Hayes. He is a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After a serving a tour as a Navy submariner, he played professional football in Canada. He and several of his "Cradle of Coaches" compatriots are the subject of the book Fields of Honor, written by Pont's niece, Sally Pont. John Pont is a native of Canton, Ohio where he graduated from Timken High School.

[edit] Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl Coaches# AP°
Miami RedHawks (Mid-American Conference) (1956 – 1962)
1956 Miami 7-1-1 4-0-1 2nd
1957 Miami 6-3 5-0 1st
1958 Miami 6-3 5-0 1st
1959 Miami 5-4 3-2 3rd
1960 Miami 5-5 2-3 4th
1961 Miami 6-4 3-2 3rd
1962 Miami 8-2-1 3-1-1 3rd
Miami: 43-22-2 25-8-2
Yale Bulldogs (Ivy League) (1963 – 1964)
1963 Yale 6-3 4-3 T-4th
1964 Yale 6-2-1 4-2-1 3rd
Yale: 12-5-1 8-5-1
Indiana Hoosiers (Big Ten Conference) (1965 – 1972)
1965 Indiana 2-8 1-6 9th
1966 Indiana 1-8-1 1-5-1 9th
1967 Indiana 9-2 6-1 T-1st L 3-14 Rose Bowl 6 4
1968 Indiana 6-4 4-3 T-5th
1969 Indiana 4-6 3-4 T-5th
1970 Indiana 1-9 1-6 T-9th
1971 Indiana 3-8 2-6 9th
1972 Indiana 5-6 3-5 T-6th
Indiana: 31-51-1 21-36-1
Northwestern Wildcats (Big Ten Conference) (1973 – 1977)
1973 Northwestern 5-6 4-4 T-4th
1974 Northwestern 2-8 2-6 T-7th
1975 Northwestern 3-8 2-6 9th
1976 Northwestern 1-10 1-7 10th
1977 Northwestern 1-10 1-8 10th
Northwestern: 12-43 10-31
Total: 98-121-4
      National Championship         Conference Title         Conference Division Title
Indicates BCS bowl game. #Rankings from final Coaches Poll of the season.
°Rankings from final AP Poll of the season.
Preceded by
Ara Parseghian
Miami University Head Football Coaches
1956-1963
Succeeded by
Bo Schembechler
Preceded by
Jordan Olivar
Yale University Head Football Coaches
1963-1964
Succeeded by
Carmen Cozza
Preceded by
Phil Dickens
Indiana University Head Football Coaches
1965-1972
Succeeded by
Lee Corso
Preceded by
Alex Agase
Northwestern Wildcats Head Coaches
1973–1977
Succeeded by
Rick Venturi
Preceded by
Tom Cahill
Paul "Bear" Bryant Award
1967
Succeeded by
Woody Hayes
Preceded by
First
Walter Camp Coach of the Year
1967
Succeeded by
Woody Hayes