Robert Erskine (coach)

Robert Erskine
Sport(s) Football, basketball
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1926–1932
1933–1934
1935–1940
1941
1946–1947
1948–1951
1952–1954

Basketball
1924–1925
1933–1939
Jesuit H.S. (LA)
Loyola (LA)
Oklahoma (asst.)
Marquette (backs)
Marquette (ends)
Marquette (backs)
Marquette (ends)


Loyola (LA)
Loyola (LA)
Head coaching record
Overall 11–18 (football)
48–61 (basketball)

Robert H. "Doc" Erskine was an American college football and basketball coach. He served at Loyola University of New Orleans as the head football coach from 1933 to 1934 and as the head basketball coach from 1924 to 1925 and 1933 to 1939.

Biography

Erskine served as a lieutenant of infantry in the United States Army Reserve.[1] He never played football at any level, but was described by the Associated Press as a capable analyst of blocking, running, passing, and punting.[2]

From 1926 to 1932, he coached football at Jesuit High School in New Orleans, where he reputedly led the team to a "brilliant record".[3] In March 1933, Loyola University of New Orleans appointed Erskine as its head football coach, replacing Clark Shaughnessy.[3] As head football coach at Loyola from 1933 to 1934, Erskine's team amassed an 11–18 record.[2] He resigned on December 19, 1934.[4] In his seven years as Loyola basketball coach in 1924–25 and from 1933 to 1939, Erskine compiled a combined record of 48–61.[5]

In 1935, he was hired as the backfield assistant at Oklahoma under Biff Jones.[2] In 1938, Sooners fans recognized his hard work as a scout, naming him the "travelingest coach". In that role, he logged over 15,000 miles, including a 4,400-mile outing to Seattle (via Chicago) in preparation for a game against Washington State.[6] In 1940, Erskine was shifted from freshman coach to once again handle backfield duties.[7]

Erskine followed Tom Stidham to Marquette University, where he served as backfield coach for the 1941 season.[8] He intended to remain at the school the following year,[9] but he received military orders to report for duty in the United States Army Air Corps at Lowry Field as a first lieutenant in July.[1] In September 1943, he was serving in the Air Corps Intelligence Division and was promoted to the rank of captain.[10] He returned from the service to Marquette in March 1946,[11] and worked as the ends coach under head coach Frank Murray.[12][13] He was shifted to backfield coach for the 1948 season,[14] and by 1952, had been switched again.[15] Erskine also handled scouting duties for the program.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b Doc Erskine is Called For Air Corps Service, The Milwaukee Journal, Jun 10, 1942.
  2. ^ a b c Oklahomans Think Biff Good Medicine For Ailing Sooners, St. Petersburg Times, May 4, 1935.
  3. ^ a b Doc Erskine Succeeds Shaughnessy as Coach, Youngstown Vindicator, Mar 12, 1933.
  4. ^ Y. M. C. A. TEAM BEATS MAROON WRESTLERS, 14-8, Chicago Daily Tribune, Dec 20, 1934.
  5. ^ 2010–11 Loyola University New Orleans Men's Basketball Media Guide, p. 41, Loyola University New Orleans, 2010.
  6. ^ "TRAVELINGEST COACH?" ONE NOMINATION, Daily Boston Globe, Dec 9, 1938.
  7. ^ Oklahoma Will Have New Grid Line Coach, The Spokesman-Review, Feb 25, 1940.
  8. ^ M.U. Opens Outdoor Practice, The Milwaukee Sentinel, Mar 31, 1941.
  9. ^ Bob Waldorf to Coach Line at Marquette, Chicago Daily Tribune, Mar 15, 1942.
  10. ^ In the WAKE of the NEWS, Chicago Daily Tribune, Sep 10, 1943.
  11. ^ 10 Named for $50,000 Race at Santa Anita, Chicago Daily Tribune, Mar 16, 1946.
  12. ^ Hilltops' Record At Home Will Get Sternest Test, The Milwaukee Journal, Nov 5, 1946.
  13. ^ Coach Murray To Take Advantage of Good Weather, The Milwaukee Journal, Apr 3, 1946.
  14. ^ BELL NAMED END COACH; Former Marquette Ace Returns as Assistant to Murray, The New York Times, Apr 4, 1948.
  15. ^ Soph Back Ace in M.U. Punting Drill, The Milwaukee Sentinel, Sep 17, 1952.
  16. ^ MU Down? Cincinnati May Find Rejuvenated Warriors Tough, The Milwaukee Sentinel, Oct 8, 1954.