Biographical details | |
---|---|
Born | Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. | May 7, 1905
Died | August 14, 1958 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 53)
Playing career | |
1924–1926 | Vanderbilt |
Position(s) | Quarterback |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
1927–1930 | Clemson (assistant) |
1934–1937 | Riverside Military Academy |
1938 | Florida (assistant) |
1939 | LSU (assistant) |
1940–1942 | Vanderbilt |
1946–1948 | Vanderbilt |
1949–1957 | UCLA |
Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
1945–1949 | Vanderbilt |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 102–41–3 |
Bowls | 0–2 |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Championships | |
1 National (1954) 3 PCC (1953–1955) | |
Awards | |
AFCA Coach of the Year (1954) | |
College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1996 (profile) |
Henry Russell "Red" Sanders (May 7, 1905 – August 14, 1958) was an American football player and coach. He was head coach at Vanderbilt University (1940–1942, 1946–1948) and the University of California at Los Angeles (1949–1957), compiling a career college football record of 102–41–3 (.709). Sanders' 1954 UCLA team was named national champions by the Coaches Poll and the Football Writers Association of America. Sanders was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1996.
Known for being witty and hard driving, Sanders used the single-wing formation at Vanderbilt and UCLA.[1] He was the originator of the squib kick and the 4–4 defense.[2][3] He is widely credited with coining the saying, "Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing".[1] When asked about the UCLA–USC rivalry, Sanders said "it's not a matter of life and death, it's more important than that!" He was the first "Wizard of Westwood" before that title was attributed to UCLA basketball coach John Wooden.[4]