Jump to content

John Tucker (American football)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Tucker
Biographical details
Born(1901-04-15)April 15, 1901
Russellville, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedFebruary 20, 1983(1983-02-20) (aged 81)
Russellville, Arkansas, U.S.
Playing career
1919–1924Arkansas Tech
1930–1931Alabama
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1933–1947Arkansas Tech
Head coaching record
Overall77–17–9
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
As coach:
  • 5 AIC (1935, 1939, 1945–1947)

As player:

John E. Tucker (April 15, 1901 – February 20, 1983) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Arkansas Tech University from 1933 to 1947, compiling a record of 77–17–9. He played football at Arkansas Tech and later at the University of Alabama in 1930 and 1931.

Arkansas Tech

[edit]

Tucker is ultimately responsible for the idiosyncratic nickname "Wonder Boys" for Arkansas Tech University. On November 15, 1919, Tucker, as a 17-year-old freshman, scored two touchdowns and kicked two extra points to lead the Second District Agricultural School Aggies to a 14–0 upset win over Jonesboro. In newspaper accounts following the game, Tucker and his teammates were referred to as "Wonder Boys," and the nickname remains to this day. Tucker was labeled as "The Original Wonder Boy" and was associated with the school for the rest of his life. He went on to play on the University of Alabama's Rose Bowl team in 1931 and served Arkansas Tech in a variety of roles - including coach, athletic director and chemistry professor - between 1925 and 1972. Two buildings on the Tech campus - Tucker Coliseum and Tucker Hall - are named in his honor.[1]

Alabama

[edit]

Tucker played for Wallace Wade's Alabama Crimson Tide football teams of 1930 and 1931, winning a national championship in 1930.

Head coaching record

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference) (1933–1947)
1933 Arkansas Tech 3–3–1 2–3–1 6th
1934 Arkansas Tech 5–1–2 4–1–2 2nd
1935 Arkansas Tech 8–0–1 6–0–1 1st
1936 Arkansas Tech 6–2 5–1 2nd
1937 Arkansas Tech 8–1 3–1 2nd
1938 Arkansas Tech 4–2–2 2–2 3rd
1939 Arkansas Tech 7–0–2 2–0–2 1st
1940 Arkansas Tech 5–3–1 1–2–1 3rd
1941 Arkansas Tech 6–3 3–3 2nd
1942 No team—World War II
1943 No team—World War II
1944 No team—World War II
1945 Arkansas Tech 8–0 6–0 1st
1946 Arkansas Tech 9–1 6–0 1st
1947 Arkansas Tech 8–1 6–0 1st
Arkansas Tech: 77–17–9 46–13–7
Total: 77–17–9
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

[edit]
[edit]