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Ernest E. West (American football)

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Ernest E. West
Biographical details
Born(1867-07-07)July 7, 1867
Rome, Georgia, U.S.
DiedJuly 16, 1914(1914-07-16) (aged 47)
Rhea Springs, Tennessee, U.S.
Playing career
1892Georgia Tech
Position(s)Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1892Georgia Tech
Head coaching record
Overall0–3

Ernest Edward West (July 7, 1867 – July 16, 1914) was American college football player and coach. He was the organizer, head coach, and player on first football team at Georgia Tech.[1]

West was born in Rome, Georgia in 1867 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1888.[2] After graduation, he resigned his commission and practiced law in Georgia before becoming a professor at the Georgia school of Technology.[2] In 1892, he organized Georgia Tech's first football team, acted as coach and captain, and played halfback.[2] It was only season he coach or played for the school. During the Spanish–American War, West served as a captain of marines.[2]

On June 14, 1914, during custody dispute over his nine-year-old daughter, West was found in a Chattanooga, Tennessee hotel room with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.[2] He survived his injuries, but died of kidney failure in Rhea Springs, Tennessee on July 17, 1914.[3]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Georgia Tech (Independent) (1892)
1892 Georgia Tech 0–3
Georgia Tech: 0–3
Total: 0–3

References

  1. ^ "Ernest E. West Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved December 1, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Writes Obituary, Seeks Death". The Atlanta Constitution. June 16, 1914. p. 10.
  3. ^ "Capt. Ernest E. West Dies at Rhea Springs". The Atlanta Constitution. July 18, 1914. p. 3.