Gene McEver

Eugene Tucker McEver (September 15, 1908 – July 12, 1985) was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Tennessee, where he was an All-American halfback. McEver served as the head football coach at Davidson College from 1936 to 1943 and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1944, compiling a career record of 22–54–5. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1954.

Gene McEver
Black and white photograph of a white man, shot from the neck up
Gene McEver, 1944
Biographical details
Born(1908-09-15)September 15, 1908
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
DiedJuly 12, 1985(1985-07-12) (aged 76)
Davidson, North Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
1928–1929Tennessee
1931Tennessee
Position(s)Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1932–1935Davidson (assistant)
1936–1943Davidson
1944North Carolina
1945–1947Virginia Tech (backfield)
Head coaching record
Overall22–54–5
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
2× All-American (1929, 1931)
College Football Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1954 (profile)

Playing career

McEver attended Virginia High School, just outside of Bristol, Tennessee. He was the first-ever All-American for the Tennessee Volunteers football team. He played for the Volunteers in 1928, 1929, and 1931 under Robert Neyland, missing the 1930 season with a knee injury. McEver scored 130 points for the Vols in 1929, helping them to a 9–0–1 record. The total led the NCAA in scoring that season, and his mark still stands at the single season scoring record at Tennessee. In December 2008, Sports Illustrated undertook to identify the individuals who would have been awarded the Heisman Trophy in college football's early years, before the trophy was established. McEver was selected as the would-be Heisman winner for the 1929 season.[1] McEver also holds the record for career scoring at Tennessee among non-kickers. McEver finished his career at Tennessee with 44 touchdowns and 12 points after touchdown for 276 points. He was named to the All-Southern team in 1928, 1929, and 1931, joining teammates Bobby Dodd and Herman Hickman. He stood 5'10", weighed 185 pounds, and wore number 28.

Coaching career

McEver coached at Davidson College in North Carolina from 1937 through 1943. His record there was 21–47–4. McEver also coached the University of North Carolina to a 1–7–1 record in 1944. He was an assistant coach at Virginia Tech from 1945 to 1947.

McEver with the 1944 North Carolina Tar Heels football team

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Davidson Wildcats (Southern Conference) (1936–1943)
1936 Davidson 5–44–37th
1937 Davidson 2–81–616th
1938 Davidson 4–62–612th
1939 Davidson 2–71–713th
1940 Davidson 5–51–514th
1941 Davidson 1–6–31–5–213th
1942 Davidson 2–6–12–4–1T–10th
1943 Davidson 0–50–310th
Davidson: 21–47–4
North Carolina Tar Heels (Southern Conference) (1944)
1944 North Carolina 1–7–10–3–19th
North Carolina: 1–7–10–3–1
Total:22–54–5

See also

References
  1. Mike Beacom (December 12, 2008). "Who would have won the Heisman from 1900-1934". Sports Illustrated.
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