Bill Hollenback Explained

Bill Hollenback
Birth Date:22 February 1886
Birth Place:Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Place:Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Player Years1:1904–1908
Player Team1:Penn
Player Years2:1921
Player Team2:Union Quakers of Philadelphia
Player Positions:Fullback, end
Coach Years1:1909
Coach Team1:Penn State
Coach Years2:1910
Coach Team2:Missouri
Coach Years3:1911–1914
Coach Team3:Penn State
Coach Years4:1912, 1915
Coach Team4:Pennsylvania Military
Coach Years5:1916
Coach Team5:Syracuse
Coach Years6:1919
Coach Team6:Penn (assistant)
Overall Record:46–19–8
Championships:
Awards:
Cfbhof Year:1951
Cfbhof Id:1246

William Marshall "Big Bill" Hollenback (February 22, 1886 – March 12, 1968) was an American football player and coach. He played football at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was selected as an All-American fullback three straight years, from 1906 to 1908. Hollenback served as the head football coach at Pennsylvania State University (1909, 1911–1914), the University of Missouri (1910), Pennsylvania Military College, now Widener University (1912, 1915), and Syracuse University (1916), compiling a career college football record of 46–19–8. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1951.

Early life and playing career

Born in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, Hollenback attended Phillipsburg High School. As an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania from 1904 to 1908, he became one of the school's most renowned football players. He played end in 1904. He was unable to play during the 1905 season due to a broken leg. After returning from the injury, Hollenback was moved to the fullback, a position he played from 1906 to 1908. He was selected as an All-American fullback in each of those years. As a senior in 1908, Holleback was the captain of the undefeated Penn team that was named national champion. Jim Thorpe, whose Carlisle Indians team played Penn to a 6–6 tie in 1908, called Hollenback his "greatest and toughest opponent." In 1921, Hollenback played professional football for the Union Quakers of Philadelphia alongside future Philadelphia Eagles founder, co-owner and coach, Bert Bell. In 1925, Hollenback served as the referee for the Pottsville Maroons' 9–7 victory over the Notre Dame All-Stars, featuring the legendary Four Horsemen, at Shibe Park. The game resulted in a controversy that stripped the Maroons of their 1925 NFL championship

Coaching career

Hollenback received a degree in dentistry, but opted to become a football coach after graduating from Penn. He served as the head football coach at Penn State (1909, 1911–1914), the University of Missouri (1910), Pennsylvania Military College (1915) and Syracuse University (1916). During his tenure, he compiled a 28–9–4 (.732) record.

Business and politics

Hollenback served briefly as the president of the Bird Coal Company in 1914. He also owned the William M. Hollenback Coal Company. He was also active in politics, and served on the Philadelphia City Council from 1940 to 1944.

Family and death

Hollenback married Marion Cressman in 1917. They had one child, William M. Hollenback, Jr. His older brother, Jack Hollenback, was also a head football coach at Penn State. Hollenback died on March 12, 1968, at Bryn Mawr Convalescent Center in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.[1]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: . William Hollenbeck; Grid Star; Ex-Councilman . . . March 13, 1968 . 39 . March 31, 2022 . .