Bill Amos
Biographical details
Born(1898-07-06)July 6, 1898
Graysville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 26, 1987(1987-04-26) (aged 88)
Washington, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materThe Kiski School
Playing career
1923Washington & Jefferson
1925–1927Washington & Jefferson
Position(s)Fullback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1929–1931Washington & Jefferson
1932–1936Grove City
1937–1945Washington HS (PA)
Head coaching record
Overall34–24–8 (college)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards

William Enlow Amos (July 6, 1898 – April 26, 1987) was an American college football player and coach.[1] He is considered to be one of the best college football players in Washington & Jefferson College history.[2]

Amos was born in Graysville, Pennsylvania. He attended The Kiski School and was a veteran of World War I.[3]

As a fullback for Washington & Jefferson for was named to the 1926 College Football All-America Team and the 1927 College Football All-America Team.[3]

After graduation, he turned down an offer from Pete Henry to play for the New York Giants and a minor league baseball contract.[3] He returned to coach the Washington & Jefferson College football team from 1929 to 1931, amassing a record of 17–8–3.[4] During the 1929 football season, Amos shared the head coach title with Ray Ride, who resigned after the season citing it being impossible to operate under dual authority.[5] From 1937 through 1946, he was a multi-sport coach at Washington High School.[3] He was a driving force in the creation of PONY Baseball and Softball.[3] He also volunteered at the Brownson House.[3]

In 1932, Amos was seriously injured in an automobile collision, sustaining a fractured skull and broken left arm.[6]

He married Dora Polan in 1928 and with her had three children.[3][7] Amos died in 1987 at the age of 88.[8] Dora died the following year.[9]

Head coaching record

College

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Washington & Jefferson Presidents (Independent) (1929–1931)
1929 Washington & Jefferson 5–2–2
1930 Washington & Jefferson 6–2–1
1931 Washington & Jefferson 6–4
Washington & Jefferson: 17–8–3
Grove City Crimson (Tri-State Conference) (1932–1933)
1932 Grove City 3–5–1 2–3 4th
1933 Grove City 6–1–1 4–1 2nd
Grove City Crimson (Independent) (1934–1936)
1934 Grove City 5–1–1
1935 Grove City 2–4–1
1936 Grove City 1–5–1
Grove City: 17–16–5 6–4
Total: 34–24–8

References

  1. ^ "Observer-Reporter - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  2. ^ "Bill Amos Featured Speaker - Press Fetes Most Valuable Gridders Tomorrow Night". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh. November 19, 1944. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Smialek, Byron (May 16, 1980). "Friends, Admirers to Escort Bill Amos Down Golden Path". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  4. ^ "Presidents Football Media Guide 2008" (PDF). Washington & Jefferson College. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  5. ^ "The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search".
  6. ^ "Bill Amos Hurt in Auto Crash". The Pittsburgh Press. March 24, 1932. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  7. ^ "Testimonial Will Honor Bill Amos". Observer-Reporter. May 1, 1980. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  8. ^ Smialek, Byron (May 3, 1987). "Bill Amos Was City's Last Link With Past". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  9. ^ "Dora Amos". The Pittsburgh Press. March 14, 1988. Retrieved August 15, 2013.

External links

Washington & Jefferson Presidents head football coaches
Grove City Wolverines head football coaches
Categories