One of the most innovative minds in the world of college football, Bob Zuppke received his start in coaching at Muskegon High School in the fall of 1906. After a brief stint as an artist in New York City, Zuppke accepted a position at Muskegon as the director of athletics. Arriving 10 days before the opening of school, he immediately jumped into action as the head football coach.
For the next four years, Zuppke handled the coaching duties of the football team, as well as the basketball and track squads at Muskegon. His football teams compiled a 29-4-2 record. Zuppke’s boys brought home the school’s only state track title in the spring of 1909.
Following the 1909-10 school year, Zuppke left Muskegon for a three-year stint at Oak Park High School in Illinois. After losses in his first and fourth games at Oak Park, his teams notched 27 consecutive football victories and two mythical national prep championships. University of Illinois athletic director George Huff recognized his talent with a football team and signed him to coach the Illini. With players like Harold “Red” Grange, George Halas and Potsy Clark, and plays like the flea flicker and the screen pass, Zuppke’s squads rolled up 131 victories, seven Big Ten titles and four mythical national championships over a span of 29 seasons. His reputation ranks at the very top, along with legendary collegiate coaches like Fielding Yost, Alonzo Stagg, Knute Rockne and Glenn “Pop” Warner.