Bud Wilkinson

Bud Wilkinson
Wilkinson in 1961
Biographical details
Born(1916-04-23)April 23, 1916
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedFebruary 9, 1994(1994-02-09) (aged 77)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Playing career
1934–1936Minnesota
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1937–1941Syracuse (assistant)
1942Minnesota (assistant)
1943–1944Iowa Pre-Flight (assistant)
1946Oklahoma (assistant)
1947–1963Oklahoma
1978–1979St. Louis Cardinals
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1947–1964Oklahoma
Head coaching record
Overall145–29–4 (college)
9–20 (NFL)
Bowls6–2
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3 national (1950, 1955–1956)
14 Big 6/7/8 (1947–1959, 1962)
Awards
College Football Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1969 (profile)

Charles Burnham "Bud" Wilkinson (April 23, 1916 – February 9, 1994) was an American football player, coach, broadcaster, and politician. He served as the head football coach at the University of Oklahoma from 1947 to 1963, compiling a record of 145–29–4. His Oklahoma Sooners won three national championships (1950, 1955, and 1956) and 14 conference titles. Between 1953 and 1957, Wilkinson's Oklahoma squads won 47 straight games, a record that still stands at the highest level of college football. After retiring from coaching following the 1963 season, Wilkinson entered into politics and, in 1965, became a broadcaster with ABC Sports. He returned to coaching in 1978, as head coach of the St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons. Wilkinson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1969.