| Ralph Welch | |
| Birth Date: | 13 January 1907 |
| Birth Place: | Collinsville, Texas, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Player Years1: | 1927–1929 |
| Player Team1: | Purdue |
| Player Positions: | Halfback |
| Coach Years1: | 1930–1937 |
| Coach Team1: | Washington (assistant) |
| Coach Years2: | 1939–1941 |
| Coach Team2: | Washington (assistant) |
| Coach Years3: | 1942–1947 |
| Coach Team3: | Washington |
| Overall Record: | 27–20–3 |
| Bowl Record: | 0–1 |
| Awards: |
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W. Ralph "Pest" Welch (January 13, 1907 – September 15, 1974) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Washington from 1942 to 1947, compiling a record of 27–20–3. Welch led his 1943 Washington squad to the Rose Bowl, where they lost to USC, 29–0.[1] He played college football at Purdue University as a halfback under head coach James Phelan, whom he followed to Washington as an assistant in 1930.
When Washington athletic director Ray Eckmann removed Phelan after the 1941 season,[2] [3] [4] he selected Welch to replace him. Popular with the players, Welch wielded a reputation as a great scout of talent. Eckmann retained Welch on a year-to-year basis with an initial $9,000 per season salary, matching Phelan's final salary.[5]
Welch died on September 15, 1974, at University Hospital in Seattle, Washington.[6]