Miles Webster "Mike" Casteel (December 30, 1895 – March 27, 1977) was an American football player and coach. He played college football as the quarterback at Kalamazoo College and also played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Rock Island Independents. He later served as the head football coach at the University of Arizona in from 1939 to 1948, compiling a record of 46–26–3.

Miles W. Casteel
Biographical details
Born(1895-12-30)December 30, 1895
Elmira, New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 27, 1977(1977-03-27) (aged 81)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Playing career
Football
c. 1920Kalamazoo
1922Rock Island Independents
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1924–1938Michigan State (assistant)
1939–1948Arizona
Head coaching record
Overall46–26–3
Bowls0–1
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 Border (1941)

Early years

edit

Casteel was born in Elmira, New York. He attended Kalamazoo College where he played football, basketball and track. He also served in the United States Army during World War I, receiving the Silver Star for his performance in the artillery service at Verdun's north front. He returned to Kalamazoo after completing his military service, graduating in 1922.[1][2]

He played in the National Football League as a back for the Rock Island Independents during the 1922 season, appearing in six games.[2][3][4]

Coaching

edit

He began coaching at East Lansing High School in 1923 before joining Michigan Agricultural College as an assistant football coach in 1924.[1][5] He also served as an assistant track coach at Michigan State and as a scout for the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions between 1934 and 1938.[1][6]

In February 1939, he became the head football coach at the University of Arizona.[6] He held that position until 1948, compiling a 46–26–3 record. In January 1949, the school's board of regents voted to terminate Casteel as head football coach.[7]

Later years

edit

Casteel later served as director of Arizona State University's Sun Angel Foundation from 1950 to 1973.[8][9] He died in 1977 at age 81.[1]

Head coaching record

edit
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Arizona Wildcats (Border Conference) (1939–1948)
1939 Arizona 6–4 1–2 5th
1940 Arizona 7–2 3–1 2nd
1941 Arizona 7–3 5–0 1st
1942 Arizona 6–4 4–2 4th
1943 No team—World War II
1944 No team—World War II
1945 Arizona 5–0
1946 Arizona 4–4–2 2–2–1 4th
1947 Arizona 5–4–1 3–2 4th
1948 Arizona 6–5 3–2 T–3rd L Salad
Arizona: 46–26–3 21–11–1
Total: 46–26–3

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Death claims Mike Casteel". The Arizona Republic. March 29, 1977. pp. B4–B5 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b "Casteel Accepts Arizona Job". Lansing State Journal. February 3, 1939. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Mike Casteel Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  4. ^ "Casteel, Bridgeford Are On Hand". The Rock Island Argus. September 27, 1922. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Mike Casteel To Join M.A.C. Staff In Fall". Detroit Free Press. May 18, 1924. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Casteel Is Named Arizona Football Coach". The Arizona Daily Star. February 3, 1939. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Casteel Fired At Request Of Arizona President". The Arizona Republic. January 21, 1949. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Sun Angels Offer Secretary Post To Mike Casteel, Ex-U.A. Coach". The Arizona Republic. April 6, 1950. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Sun Angel head resigns". The Arizona Republic. September 19, 1973. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
edit