Tom Davies (American football) facts for kids
Davies in 1921
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| Biographical details | |
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| Born | October 14, 1896 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 29, 1972 (aged 75) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1918–1921 | Pittsburgh |
| Position(s) | Halfback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1922 | Penn (assistant) |
| 1923 | Geneva |
| 1924–1925 | Allegheny |
| 1926–1934 | Rochester (NY) |
| 1935 | Carnegie Tech (freshmen) |
| 1936 | Kiski Prep (PA) |
| 1937–1939 | St. Thomas/Scranton |
| 1941–1947 | Western Reserve |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 96–52–11 (college) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
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| Awards | |
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| College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1970 (profile) |
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Thomas J. Davies (born October 14, 1896 – died February 29, 1972) was a famous American football player and coach. He played as a halfback for the University of Pittsburgh. He was chosen as an All-American player in both 1918 and 1920. After he stopped playing, Davies became a football coach for 26 years. He coached at several universities, including the University of Pennsylvania and Western Reserve University. In 1970, he was honored by being added to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player.
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Tom Davies' Playing Career
Davies was born in Gas City, Indiana. When he was 11, his family moved to Washington, Pennsylvania. He played high school football at Aliquippa High School and The Kiski School. Davies got a chance to play at Kiski because a friend refused a scholarship unless Davies could join him.
Davies then went to the University of Pittsburgh. He played football there for four seasons, from 1918 to 1921. His coach was the well-known Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner. Davies played in 31 games for the Pittsburgh Panthers. He gained about 150 yards per game during his time there. Even as a freshman in 1918, he was named a first-team All-American. He earned this honor again in 1920.
In 1918, Davies was only 142 pounds. In his very first play for Pitt, he ran for 13 yards. This was against Washington & Jefferson, which was a very strong team back then. He quickly showed he was a great player. Davies helped Pitt have a perfect season in 1918. They even won a national championship that year. He was the best on his team in rushing, passing, and catching the ball. He also led Pitt in total yards gained in all four years he played.
In a 1918 game against Georgia Tech, Davies scored five touchdowns! He ran 50 yards for one touchdown. He also returned two punts for touchdowns, running 60 yards and 50 yards. Plus, he threw two more touchdown passes. People were amazed by his skills. One writer said that watching Davies run back a kickoff for 90 yards was like watching the legendary Jim Thorpe. He ran straight down the field, getting past seven players on his own.
In 1920, Davies helped Pitt win another big game against the University of Pennsylvania. Many people called this his best game ever. He threw a touchdown pass and ran 80 yards for another. He also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. And he even returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown!
That same year, he led Pitt to a 35–0 victory over Syracuse. In that game, he rushed for 255 yards and scored 16 points. He did all this in just three quarters of play. In December 1920, his teammates chose him to be the captain of the 1921 Pitt football team. Davies was so touched by this honor that he called his mother right away to tell her.
Davies is still one of Pitt's top players for scoring points, with 181 points. He also gained 3,931 total yards in his career. He was a truly outstanding player.
Tom Davies' Coaching Career
After finishing college at Pitt, Davies started a long career as a college football coach. His first coaching job was in 1922. He worked as an assistant coach for the famous John Heisman at the University of Pennsylvania. The New York Times newspaper said that Davies would teach players how to throw forward passes, punt, and use a straight arm.
In 1923, Davies got his first main coaching job. He became the head football coach for the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes. This team was in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He coached there for one season, with a record of 6 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie. In 1924, he moved to Allegheny College and coached there for two seasons.
In 1926, Davies became the head football coach at the University of Rochester. He stayed there for nine years, until 1934. After Rochester, he coached for one season at Carnegie Tech. He also coached for a year at Kiski Prep School, where he had played high school football.
In 1937, Davies became the head coach at St. Thomas College. In his first year, his team had a great record of 6 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie. Before the 1938 season, St. Thomas College changed its name to the University of Scranton. Davies's team in 1938 finished with 7 wins and 2 losses. His 1939 team was even better, having a perfect season with 7 wins and 2 ties. Davies left Scranton in March 1940. His record there was 20 wins, 3 losses, and 3 ties.
After leaving Scranton, Davies started working in the insurance business in the Cleveland area.
Even though Davies said he was done with coaching, he was hired again in March 1941. He became the head football coach for the Western Reserve University Red Cats. Davies coached at Western Reserve for seven years. However, there was no team from 1943 to 1945 because of World War II. In October 1947, the university decided to let him go. This happened after some team members asked for a different coach.
Later Years and Legacy
After he stopped coaching football for good in 1947, Davies went back to the insurance business. He worked in the Pittsburgh area.
Davies was honored for his amazing career in football. In 1966, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Then, in 1970, he was added to the College Football Hall of Fame. He passed away from a heart attack in February 1972 at the age of 75. He died at his home in Pittsburgh.
Images for kids
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Davies in 1921
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Tommy Davies of Pitt runs against Georgia Tech in a 1918 game. Pitt won this game 32–0.
