 Harlow in 1920 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 19, 1889 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 19, 1962 (aged 72) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1910–1911 | Penn State |
| Position(s) | Tackle |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1912–1914 | Penn State (assistant) |
| 1915–1917 | Penn State |
| 1918 | Virginia Tech (assistant) |
| 1919–1921 | Penn State (assistant) |
| 1922–1925 | Colgate |
| 1926–1934 | Western Maryland |
| 1935–1942 | Harvard |
| 1945–1947 | Harvard |
| Boxing | |
| c. 1919 | Penn State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 149–69–17 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| |
| College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1954 (profile) | |
Richard Cresson Harlow (October 19, 1889 – February 19, 1962) was an American football player and coach, as well as an oologist. Harlow served as the head coach at Pennsylvania State University (1915–1917), Colgate University (1922–1925), Western Maryland College (1926–1934), and Harvard University (1935–1942, 1945–1947). He is credited with pioneering modern defensive schemes. Often fielding undersized teams, Harlow coordinated stunts to avoid blockers, rather than trying to overpower them. His offensive style utilized shifts, reverses, and lateral passes. Harlow was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1954.