Duffy Daugherty
Encyclopedia
Hugh Duffy Daugherty was an American football
player and coach. He served as the head coach at Michigan State University
from 1954 to 1972, where he compiled a career record of 109–69–5. Duffy's 1965
and 1966
teams won national championships
. Duffy's tenure of 19 seasons at the helm of the Michigan State Spartans football
team is the longest of any head coach in the program's history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
in 1984.
on September 8, 1915. Though Daugherty would later become known as "the Irish pixie, short and stocky, a man of endearing charm, with smiles and jokes," both of his parents were Pennslylvania natives whose parents were immigrants from Scotland. His father, Joseph Daugherty, was the manager of a general merchandise store at Susquehanna in 1920. By 1930, the family had moved to Barnesboro, Pennsylvania
, where Daugherty's father was working as an adjuster for a compensation and insurance company.Daugherty had two older brothers, John and Joseph, Jr., and a younger sister Jean.
Raised as a Presbyterian, he converted to Catholicism in 1964.
Daugherty played college football
as a guard
at Syracuse University
. He was named captain of the Syracuse football team in his senior year in 1939.
Daugherty enlisted in the U.S. Army
on February 7, 1941, ten months before the United States entered World War II
. In his enlistment papers, Daugherty listed his residence as Onondaga County, New York
, and his occupation as "unskilled machine shop and related occupations." His height was recorded at 68 inches and his weight at 175 pounds. While serving in the Army, Daugherty was promoted from private to major and earned the Bronze Star
.
In December 1946, when Munn was hired to become the new head coach at Michigan State University
for the 1947 season, Daugherty moved to East Lansing
with him. Munn's teams had a great deal of success, winning the AP
national championship
in 1952. The next year, in their first year of Big Ten Conference
play, Michigan State tied for the conference title with Illinois
and defeated UCLA
in the 1954 Rose Bowl
. With Munn as head coach and Daugherty as an assistant, the Michigan State football team compiled a record of 54–9–2. The Michigan State lines coached by Daugherty in those years became known as "Duffy's Toughies."
In December 1953, following Munn's promotion to Michigan State's athletic director
, Daugherty became Michigan State's head football coach, the 15th in the history of Michigan State football. He became well known for his humorous quips during press conferences.
in 1955 with an 8–1 record in the regular season. Michigan State received the conference's invitation to the 1956 Rose Bowl
instead of the Buckeyes due to the conference's prohibition against consecutive trips to the Rose Bowl. In Pasadena
, the Spartans defeated UCLA
, 17–14, for their second bowl win in school history.
From 1956 to 1964, Daugherty's Michigan State teams were usually good, three times placing second in Big Ten, but never captured the conference crown. The Spartans did, however, beat Notre Dame
eight straight times between 1955 and 1963, a feat matched only by Michigan
(1887–1908) and USC (2002–2009).
On November 5, 1964, the NCAA
found Daugherty's program at Michigan State guilty of NCAA infractions prior to and during the 1957, 1958, and 1959 seasons. The infractions ranged from free transportation between players' homes and the university, cash allowances, spending money, and tuition payments exceeding NCAA regulations. Daughtery's football program was put on probation for three years following the 1964 decision.
The 1965 and 1966 seasons were the high points in Daugherty's coaching tenure, if not in the history of Michigan State football. The 1965 team
finished the regular season 10–0 and ranked first in the country, but was upset by UCLA in the 1966 Rose Bowl
, 14–12. Nevertheless, Michigan State was named national champions by the UPI
and the National Football Foundation. The 1966 team
began the season 9–0 and headed into their final game ranked #2 against #1 Notre Dame
at Spartan Stadium
on November 19. The #1 vs. #2 showdown, dubbed the "The Game of the Century
" by national media, ended in a 10–10 tie. The Spartans did not play in a bowl game following the 1966 season due to Big Ten rules in place at the time that prohibited its teams from playing in the Rose Bowl in consecutive years and barred participation in any other bowl. Notre Dame was named the national champion in both major polls, but Michigan State received a share of the National Football Foundation's title with the Fighting Irish.
Beginning with the 1967 season, there was a significant decline in the Spartans football program. Daugherty's teams in the late 60s and early 70s consistently hovered around the .500 mark, with only his 1971 squad finishing with a winning record (6–5). Under pressure from MSU's administration, Daugherty retired after the 1972 season and was succeeded as head coach by Denny Stolz
.
During Daugherty's time in East Lansing
, he recruited and coached some of the best players in Michigan State's history, including Herb Adderley
, Brad Van Pelt
, Bubba Smith
, George Webster, and Joe DeLamielleure
. He was one of the first college football coaches to field a racially integrated team.
in Santa Barbara, California
after being hospitalized a month earlier with heart and kidney problems.
To honor his accomplishments at Michigan State, the university named the football team's practice facility the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. The Duffy Daugherty Memorial Award is presented annually to a person for lifetime achievement and outstanding contribution to amateur football. Duffy was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame
in 1984 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
in 1975.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and coach. He served as the head coach at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
from 1954 to 1972, where he compiled a career record of 109–69–5. Duffy's 1965
1965 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 1965 Michigan State Spartans football team represented the Michigan State University in the 1965 college football season. The Spartans won the Big Ten Championship and competed in the 1966 Rose Bowl...
and 1966
1966 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 1966 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1966 college football season.-Regular season:The 1966 Michigan State Spartans football vs. Notre Dame football game remains one of the greatest, and most controversial, games in college football history...
teams won national championships
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
. Duffy's tenure of 19 seasons at the helm of the Michigan State Spartans football
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
team is the longest of any head coach in the program's history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 1984.
Early years, playing career, and military service
Daugherty was born in Emeigh, PennsylvaniaSusquehanna Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania
Susquehanna Township is a township in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,198 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
on September 8, 1915. Though Daugherty would later become known as "the Irish pixie, short and stocky, a man of endearing charm, with smiles and jokes," both of his parents were Pennslylvania natives whose parents were immigrants from Scotland. His father, Joseph Daugherty, was the manager of a general merchandise store at Susquehanna in 1920. By 1930, the family had moved to Barnesboro, Pennsylvania
Barnesboro, Pennsylvania
Barnesboro, Pennsylvania was a borough located in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, USA. The area was first settled by Europeans in the early-to-middle 19th century. The presence of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River allowed loggers to move their harvest down stream...
, where Daugherty's father was working as an adjuster for a compensation and insurance company.Daugherty had two older brothers, John and Joseph, Jr., and a younger sister Jean.
Raised as a Presbyterian, he converted to Catholicism in 1964.
Daugherty played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
as a guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. He was named captain of the Syracuse football team in his senior year in 1939.
Daugherty enlisted in the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
on February 7, 1941, ten months before the United States entered World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In his enlistment papers, Daugherty listed his residence as Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, and his occupation as "unskilled machine shop and related occupations." His height was recorded at 68 inches and his weight at 175 pounds. While serving in the Army, Daugherty was promoted from private to major and earned the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
.
Early coaching career
In 1946, upon his return from the war, Daugherty became an assistant coach in charge of linemen at Syracuse under Clarence L. "Biggie" Munn.In December 1946, when Munn was hired to become the new head coach at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
for the 1947 season, Daugherty moved to East Lansing
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 48,579 at the time of the 2010 census, an increase from...
with him. Munn's teams had a great deal of success, winning the AP
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
national championship
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
in 1952. The next year, in their first year of Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
play, Michigan State tied for the conference title with Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini football
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
and defeated UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
in the 1954 Rose Bowl
1954 Rose Bowl
The 1954 Rose Bowl game, played on January 1, 1954 was the 40th Rose Bowl game. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the UCLA Bruins, 28–20. Michigan State halfback Billy Wells was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. This was the first year that Michigan State University was counted in...
. With Munn as head coach and Daugherty as an assistant, the Michigan State football team compiled a record of 54–9–2. The Michigan State lines coached by Daugherty in those years became known as "Duffy's Toughies."
In December 1953, following Munn's promotion to Michigan State's athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
, Daugherty became Michigan State's head football coach, the 15th in the history of Michigan State football. He became well known for his humorous quips during press conferences.
Michigan State head coach
After compiling a disappointing 3–6 record in Daugherty's first season in 1954, the Spartans improved and finished second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State1955 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1955 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1955-1956. The Buckeyes compiled a 7–2 record.-Schedule:-Trivia:...
in 1955 with an 8–1 record in the regular season. Michigan State received the conference's invitation to the 1956 Rose Bowl
1956 Rose Bowl
The 1956 Rose Bowl game, played on January 2, 1956 was the 42nd Rose Bowl game. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the UCLA Bruins, 17–14. Michigan State halfback Walt Kowalczyk was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game. The game was played on January 2, because New Year's Day was a Sunday...
instead of the Buckeyes due to the conference's prohibition against consecutive trips to the Rose Bowl. In Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, the Spartans defeated UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
, 17–14, for their second bowl win in school history.
From 1956 to 1964, Daugherty's Michigan State teams were usually good, three times placing second in Big Ten, but never captured the conference crown. The Spartans did, however, beat Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
eight straight times between 1955 and 1963, a feat matched only by Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
(1887–1908) and USC (2002–2009).
On November 5, 1964, the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
found Daugherty's program at Michigan State guilty of NCAA infractions prior to and during the 1957, 1958, and 1959 seasons. The infractions ranged from free transportation between players' homes and the university, cash allowances, spending money, and tuition payments exceeding NCAA regulations. Daughtery's football program was put on probation for three years following the 1964 decision.
The 1965 and 1966 seasons were the high points in Daugherty's coaching tenure, if not in the history of Michigan State football. The 1965 team
1965 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 1965 Michigan State Spartans football team represented the Michigan State University in the 1965 college football season. The Spartans won the Big Ten Championship and competed in the 1966 Rose Bowl...
finished the regular season 10–0 and ranked first in the country, but was upset by UCLA in the 1966 Rose Bowl
1966 Rose Bowl
The 1966 Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1966 was the 52nd Rose Bowl Game. The UCLA Bruins defeated the #1 ranked Michigan State Spartans by a score of 14–12. UCLA defensive back Bob Stiles was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game.-Teams:...
, 14–12. Nevertheless, Michigan State was named national champions by the UPI
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
and the National Football Foundation. The 1966 team
1966 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 1966 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 1966 college football season.-Regular season:The 1966 Michigan State Spartans football vs. Notre Dame football game remains one of the greatest, and most controversial, games in college football history...
began the season 9–0 and headed into their final game ranked #2 against #1 Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
at Spartan Stadium
Spartan Stadium (East Lansing)
Spartan Stadium opened in 1923 in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. It is primarily used for football, and is the home field of the Michigan State University Spartans...
on November 19. The #1 vs. #2 showdown, dubbed the "The Game of the Century
Game of the Century (college football)
The phrase "Game of the Century" is a superlative that has been applied to several college football contests played in the 20th century, the first full century of college football in the United States...
" by national media, ended in a 10–10 tie. The Spartans did not play in a bowl game following the 1966 season due to Big Ten rules in place at the time that prohibited its teams from playing in the Rose Bowl in consecutive years and barred participation in any other bowl. Notre Dame was named the national champion in both major polls, but Michigan State received a share of the National Football Foundation's title with the Fighting Irish.
Beginning with the 1967 season, there was a significant decline in the Spartans football program. Daugherty's teams in the late 60s and early 70s consistently hovered around the .500 mark, with only his 1971 squad finishing with a winning record (6–5). Under pressure from MSU's administration, Daugherty retired after the 1972 season and was succeeded as head coach by Denny Stolz
Denny Stolz
Dennis E. "Denny" Stolz is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Alma College , Michigan State University , Bowling Green State University , and San Diego State University , compiling a career college football record of 125–93–5.Stolz graduated...
.
During Daugherty's time in East Lansing
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 48,579 at the time of the 2010 census, an increase from...
, he recruited and coached some of the best players in Michigan State's history, including Herb Adderley
Herb Adderley
Herbert Allen Adderley is a former American football cornerback who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League....
, Brad Van Pelt
Brad Van Pelt
Brad Alan Van Pelt was an American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League....
, Bubba Smith
Bubba Smith
Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith was an American professional football player who became an actor after his retirement from the sport. He first came into prominence at Michigan State University, where he twice earned All-American honors as a defensive end on the Spartans football team...
, George Webster, and Joe DeLamielleure
Joe DeLamielleure
Joseph Michael DeLamielleure is a former American football offensive lineman who was an All-American at Michigan State. He was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He won All-Rookie Honors, after finding out a physical condition with his irregular heartbeat was...
. He was one of the first college football coaches to field a racially integrated team.
Later life and honors
After leaving Michigan State, Daugherty served as a TV color analyst for a number of years. He died at the age of 72 on September 25, 1987 at Santa Barbara Cottage HospitalSanta Barbara Cottage Hospital
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is a hospital in the city of Santa Barbara, California. It is owned and operated by Cottage Health System.It is the only Level II trauma center between Los Angeles and the Bay Area on coastal California...
in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
after being hospitalized a month earlier with heart and kidney problems.
To honor his accomplishments at Michigan State, the university named the football team's practice facility the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. The Duffy Daugherty Memorial Award is presented annually to a person for lifetime achievement and outstanding contribution to amateur football. Duffy was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 1984 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame to honor Michigan sports people. It was organized in 1954 by Michigan Lieutenant Governor Philip Hart, Michigan State University athletic director Biggie Munn, president of the Greater Michigan Foundation Donald Weeks, general manager of the...
in 1975.
Head coaching record
Quotes
- "Football isn't a contact sport, it's a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport."
- "A tie is like kissing your sister."
- "When you are playing for the national championship, it's not a matter of life or death. It's more important than that."
- "When a letter simply addressed to "Duffy the Dope" was delivered to me, I knew it was time to retire."