Red Sanders

Red Sanders
Sanders, circa 1950
Biographical details
Born(1905-05-07)May 7, 1905
Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedAugust 14, 1958(1958-08-14) (aged 53)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Playing career
1924–1926Vanderbilt
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1927–1930Clemson (assistant)
1934–1937Riverside Military Academy
1938Florida (assistant)
1939LSU (assistant)
1940–1942Vanderbilt
1946–1948Vanderbilt
1949–1957UCLA
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1945–1949Vanderbilt
Head coaching record
Overall102–41–3
Bowls0–2
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]

  1. ^ a b Sayre, Joe (December 26, 1955). "He flies on one wing". Sports Illustrated. p. 29. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012.
  2. ^ Bolch, Ben – Red Sanders' impact on UCLA football has lasted well past his death, 60 years ago Tuesday. Los Angeles Times (latimes.com), August 14, 2018
  3. ^ University of California: In Memoriam, April 1960, Henry Russell Sanders: Los Angeles. University of California (System) Academic Senate
  4. ^ Sanders Death Shocks Grid World Westwood Football Wizard Succumbs After Heart Attack. Desert Sun, August 15, 1958