Eddie McGirt

Eddie C. McGirt (January 31, 1920– December 21, 1999) was an American football coach. He was the head coach of the Johnson C. Smith University team of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) from 1959-77.

Early years

McGirt was born in Camden, South Carolina where, he starred in football, basketball, and track at Mather Academy in South Carolina. He then enrolled at Johnson C. Smith University in 1940 and immediately established himself as one of JCSU's best players, earning All-CIAA honors as a fullback for the football team.

He entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and received a Purple Heart. He married Minnie Dannelly in 1945 and returned to graduate from JCSU in 1947 with a bachelor's degree.

He then went to Columbia University to receive his master's degree in 1952. ^

Coaching career

In 1958, he returned to JCSU where he eventually became the 11th head football coach.

McGirt is credited with lifting JCSU's struggling football team to become one of the -CIAA's most respected with a 6-2 record - in only one season. For 20 years, his teams ranked at the top of -CIAA standings. He was considered the "Dean of Coaches" in the -CIAA, winning 118 of 191 games at JCSU.

He also served many teaching positions and coached the university's basketball team from 1959 to 1962 with a record of 48 wins and 26 losses.

Coach McGirt, known to many as "Cut", retired after 20 years as JCSU's head football coach. During his tenure, his teams won one championship and two divisional championships, and were runners-up twice. His overall record was 118 wins and 73 losses.

He remained as the university's Athletic Director and Head of the Department of Health and Physical Education until June 30, 1985.

He supported JCSU athletics until his death on December 21, 1999.

In 1977, he was inducted into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Hall of Fame. The university's football field is named the Eddie McGirt Field after him. The Eddie C. McGirt Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore, junior, or student athlete with at least a 3.0 GPA.

References