Charles F. Erb
Gem of the Mountains, 1927 Idaho yearbook[1]
Biographical details
Born(1902-12-08)December 8, 1902
DiedMarch 7, 1952(1952-03-07) (aged 49)
North Hollywood, California, U.S.
Playing career
1920–1922California
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1924Nevada
1926–1928Idaho
1935–1937Humboldt State
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1926–1928Idaho
Head coaching record
Overall28–19–7
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3× National (1920, 1921, 1922)
Awards
3× First-team All-Pacific Coast (1920, 1921, 1922)

Charles Freeman Erb Jr. (December 8, 1902 – March 7, 1952) was an American college football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Nevada, Reno in 1924, the University of Idaho from 1926 to 1928, and Humboldt State College from 1935 to 1937, compiling a career coaching record of 28–19–7.

Playing career

At Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, Erb was the California player of the year during the 1917 season as an end.[2]

Erb played college football as a quarterback at California from 1920 through 1922, on the undefeated "Wonder Teams" led by head coach Andy Smith. The 1920 team won the Rose Bowl and the 1921 team tied in the 1922 Rose Bowl. The undefeated 1922 and 1923 teams did not play in the postseason.

Coaching career

In 1924, he coached at Nevada, where he compiled a 3–4–1 record. He was hired at Idaho in May 1926 as head coach and director of athletics,[3] where he compiled a 10–9–5 (.521) record in three seasons. His 1927 team contended for the title in the Pacific Coast Conference and were co-champions,[4][5][6][7] but the 1928 team had a more difficult season, after which he submitted his resignation.[8]

After Idaho, his career record stood at 13–13–6 in four seasons. From 1935 to 1937 he coached in California at Humboldt State, where he compiled a 15–6–1 record.

Personal life

Erb's son, Charles "Boots" Erb (1925–2013), also played quarterback at California, under head coach Pappy Waldorf in the late 1940s. Boots saw action in the 1949 and 1950 Rose Bowls. The Erbs were the first father and son to quarterback in the Rose Bowl.[9]

Erb died of a heart attack, suffered in his sleep during the night of March 7, 1952, at his home in North Hollywood, Los Angeles.[10]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Nevada Wolf Pack (Independent) (1924)
1924 Nevada 3–4–1
Nevada: 3–4–1
Idaho Vandals (Pacific Coast Conference) (1926–1928)
1926 Idaho 3–4–1 1–4 T–6th
1927 Idaho 4–1–3 2–0–2 T–1st [5][6][7][11]
1928 Idaho 3–4–1 2–3 T–6th
Idaho: 10–9–5 5–7–2
Humboldt State Lumberjacks (Independent) (1935–1937)
1935 Humboldt State 6–1–1
1936 Humboldt State 5–3
1937 Humboldt State 4–2
Humboldt State: 15–6–1
Total: 28–19–7
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

  1. ^ "Charles Freeman Erb". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1927. p. 148.
  2. ^ "High School Football Players Of Year". Los Angeles Times. December 3, 1993. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "Erb will coach Idaho gridders". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). May 12, 1926. p. 19.
  4. ^ "1927 Football". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1928. p. 162.
  5. ^ a b "Conference grid schedule stands". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). December 12, 1927. p. 18.
  6. ^ a b "Adopt schedule". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. December 11, 1927. p. 13.
  7. ^ a b "Coast grid schedule given O.K. after long conference wrangle". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 11, 1927. p. 1, sports.
  8. ^ "The Season of 1928". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1929. p. 164.
  9. ^ "Charles Erb". San Francisco Chronicle. (obituary). January 19, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  10. ^ "Charles F. Erb, UC Wonder Team Star, Is Dead". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. Associated Press. March 7, 1952. p. 27. Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  11. ^ "Pac-12 Conference - 2011 Football Media Guide".

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