Ralph Welch
Welch from 1947 Tyee yearbook
Biographical details
Born(1907-01-13)January 13, 1907
Collinsville, Texas, U.S.
DiedSeptember 15, 1974(1974-09-15) (aged 67)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Playing career
1927–1929Purdue
Position(s)Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1930–1937Washington (assistant)
1939–1941Washington (assistant)
1942–1947Washington
Head coaching record
Overall27–20–3
Bowls0–1
Accomplishments and honors
Awards

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]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs AP#
Washington Huskies (Pacific Coast Conference) (1942–1947)
1942 Washington 4–3–3 3–3–2 6th
1943 Washington 4–1 0–1 3rd L Rose 12
1944 Washington 5–3 1–1 2nd
1945 Washington 6–3 6–3 3rd
1946 Washington 5–4 5–3 4th
1947 Washington 3–6 2–5 T–7th
Washington: 27–20–3 17–16–2
Total: 27–20–3

References

  1. ^ "W. Ralph "Pest" Welch Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on February 15, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
  2. ^ "Jimmy Phelan and two aides get gate at Washington U." Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. December 13, 1941. p. 9.
  3. ^ "Washington coaching staff is out". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 14, 1941. p. 1, sports.
  4. ^ "Phelan fired after dozen years at job". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. December 14, 1941. p. 18.
  5. ^ David Eskenazi. "Wayback Machine: James Merlin Phelan | Sportspress Northwest". Sportspressnw.com. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  6. ^ "Huskies' Welch dies". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. United Press International. September 17, 1974. p. 15. Retrieved January 28, 2020 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
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