Ted Coy

Ted Coy was an American football player and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest fullbacks of the early 20th century. He achieved national fame as a star for the Yale Bulldogs, leading the team to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1909. Following his collegiate career, he served as head football coach at the University of Virginia and later worked in business and sports journalism in New York City.

Early life and education

Edward Harris Coy was born in Andover, Massachusetts, and attended the prestigious Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. At Hotchkiss, he excelled in multiple sports, laying the foundation for his athletic prowess. He then enrolled at Yale University, where he became a prominent figure on campus and a member of the Skull and Bones society. His time at Yale coincided with the peak of the Ivy League's dominance in college football.

Football career

Coy's football career at Yale from 1907 to 1909 is considered legendary. Playing under coach Bill Knox, he was a powerful runner, blocker, and kicker, known for his size and speed. The 1909 season was his pinnacle, as he captained an undefeated team that claimed the national championship after a decisive victory over Harvard. His performances earned him consensus All-American honors and made him a household name. His style of play was emblematic of the brutal, physical single-wing offense prevalent during that era of the sport.

Coaching and later career

After graduating, Coy was appointed head football coach at the University of Virginia in 1910. He compiled a record of 6–3–1 in his single season leading the Cavaliers. He then left coaching to pursue a career in business, moving to New York City. There, he worked in banking and later became a respected sports columnist and editor for the New York Evening Journal. He also served as a football official and was active in the American Legion, contributing to veterans' affairs following World War I.

Personal life and legacy

Coy married Marguerite Clay, and the couple had two children. His later years were affected by ill health, and he died suddenly in 1935 at his home in Manhattan. He is remembered as a quintessential figure of the "heroic age" of college football, a period immortalized by sportswriters like Grantland Rice. His legacy is preserved at Yale University, where his memory is honored alongside other greats like Walter Camp and Albie Booth. The Ted Coy Award was established in his name to recognize valuable players on the Yale football team.

Honors and awards

Coy was a consensus All-American selection in 1909. In 1951, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class. He was also selected as the fullback on the All-Time All-America Team chosen by the Football Writers Association of America in 1969. His 1909 Yale team is consistently ranked among the greatest in the history of the sport.

Category:American football fullbacks Category:Yale Bulldogs football players Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees Category:1888 births Category:1935 deaths