Jimmie Schaeffer

James Schaeffer
Biographical details
Born(1885-02-01)February 1, 1885
Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
DiedAugust 8, 1972(1972-08-08) (aged 87)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Rugby
1909–1914California
Baseball
1911–1915California
Football
1915California
Head coaching record
Overall65–11–8 (rugby)
39–21–2 (baseball)
8–5 (football)

James Garfield Schaeffer (February 1, 1885 – August 8, 1972) was a rugby union, American football and baseball coach. He served as the University of California rugby coach from 1909 to 1914, and football coach in 1915. In total he amassed a 73–16–8 record.[1] From 1909 to 1914, California played rugby instead of American football, switching back to football rugby code, rather than the American code.[1] He also coached the Cal baseball team from 1911 to 1915 and amassed a 39–21–2 record.[2] Schaeffer resigned from both posts in November 1915. The executive committee of the student body denied that his resignation was forced, but there were rumors of "dissatisfaction with his services" after California was routed by Washington, 72–0.[3] Schaeffer was involved in the recruitment process for his permanent replacement as California's football coach, offering the position to then Purdue coach Andy Smith.[4] 

Schaeffer was born in Ohio in 1885 and died in California in 1972.

  1. ^ a b Cal History Archived 2012-11-12 at the Wayback Machine (PDF), p. 164, 2009 California Football Media Guide, University of California, 2009.
  2. ^ Cal Coaching History Archived 2012-11-12 at the Wayback Machine (PDF), 2009 California Baseball Media Guide, p. 49, University of California, 2009.
  3. ^ Football and Baseball Coach of University of California Has Tendered Resignation, The Evening News, November 11, 1915.
  4. ^ Burgoa, Jorge "CalBear81" (July 5, 2011). "Cal's Greatest Football Coaches: #1 Andy Smith". California Golden Blogs. Archived from the original on July 28, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)