Clark Shaughnessy

Clark Shaughnessy
Shaughnessy as Maryland coach in 1942
Biographical details
Born(1892-03-06)March 6, 1892
St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedMay 15, 1970(1970-05-15) (aged 78)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1911–1913Minnesota
Position(s)Fullback, tackle, end
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1914Minnesota (assistant)
1915–1920Tulane
1922–1926Tulane
1927–1932Loyola (LA)
1933–1939Chicago
1940–1941Stanford
1942Maryland
1943–1945Pittsburgh
1944–1947Washington Redskins (advisor)
1946Maryland
1948–1949Los Angeles Rams
1951–1962Chicago Bears (DC)
1965Hawaii
Basketball
1915–1918Tulane
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1915–1920Tulane
Head coaching record
Overall150–117–17 (college football)
14–7–3 (NFL)
27–15 (college basketball)
Bowls1–0
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Awards
College Football Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1968 (profile)

Clark Daniel Shaughnessy (born Clark Daniel O'Shaughnessy; March 6, 1892 – May 15, 1970) was an American football coach and innovator. He is sometimes called the "father of the T formation" and the original founder of the forward pass, although that system had previously been used as early as the 1880s. Shaughnessy did, however, modernize the obsolescent T formation to make it once again relevant in the sport, particularly for the quarterback and the receiver positions. He employed his innovations most famously on offense, but on the defensive side of the ball as well, and he earned a reputation as a ceaseless experimenter.

Shaughnessy held head coaching positions at Tulane University, Loyola University New Orleans, the University of Chicago, Stanford University, the University of Maryland, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Hawaii, and in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams. Shaughnessy also served in advisory capacities with the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins.

He reached the height of his success in 1940, in his first season at Stanford, where he led the Indians to an undefeated season that culminated with a Rose Bowl victory. That year, he also helped prepare the Chicago Bears for the 1940 NFL Championship Game, in which they routed Washington, 73–0. Shaughnessy's successes showcased the effectiveness of the T formation and encouraged its widespread adoption. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968. Shaughnessy also coached college basketball at Tulane University. He played college football at the University of Minnesota.

In 2021, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Shaughnessy to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2021.[1]

  1. ^ Ken Crippen. "PFRA's Hall of Very Good Class of 2021". Retrieved November 21, 2021.