Zachary Henry Curlin[1] (January 31, 1890 – June 3, 1970) was an American football and basketball player and coach.

Zach Curlin
Curlin c. 1912
Biographical details
Born(1890-01-31)January 31, 1890
Luxora, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedJune 3, 1970(1970-06-03) (aged 80)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1910–1913Vanderbilt
Basketball
1910–1913Vanderbilt
Position(s)Quarterback (football)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1924–1936West Tennessee
Basketball
1924–1948West Tennessee / Memphis State
Baseball
1927West Tennessee
1934West Tennessee
Head coaching record
Overall43–60–14 (football)
173–184 (basketball)
13–9 (baseball)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
2 MVC (1929–1930)

Background and career

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Curlin attended Christian Brothers College (now University) in Memphis and the Webb School.[2] and played piano in the band. He was a halfback and quarterback on Dan McGugin's Vanderbilt Commodores football teams from 1910 to 1913, and the starting quarterback in 1912 and 1913, leading Vandy to an SIAA title in 1912. He made kicks on both Harvard and Michigan. Curlin was pulled for his backup Rabbi Robbins in Vanderbilt's largest win its history,[3] a 105–0 win over Bethel in 1912, the muddy conditions better suited to the other's talents. Curlin later served as the Memphis Tigers men's basketball coach for many years.

Legacy

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Curlin was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 1974 and a street on the east side of the university's campus bears his name. An award is given annually in his name that recognizes the top male student-athlete at the University of Memphis that possesses his "drive, enthusiasm and determination for academics and athletics while maintaining a concern for others."

Head coaching record

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Football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
West Tennessee State Normal/Teachers (Independent) (1924–1927)
1924 West Tennessee State Normal 1–7–1
1925 West Tennessee State Teachers 0–7–1
1926 West Tennessee State Teachers 1–8
1927 West Tennessee State Teachers 5–3–1
West Tennessee State Teachers (Mississippi Valley Conference) (1928–1934)
1928 West Tennessee State Teachers 5–3–2 4–1–1 2nd
1929 West Tennessee State Teachers 8–0–2 5–0–1 1st
1930 West Tennessee State Teachers 6–3–1 6–1 1st
1931 West Tennessee State Teachers 2–5–2 1–2–2
1932 West Tennessee State Teachers 4–5 2–2 T–5th
1933 West Tennessee State Teachers 7–1–1 3–0 1st
1934 West Tennessee State Teachers 3–3–2 1–0 2nd
West Tennessee State Teachers (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1935–1936)
1935 West Tennessee State Teachers 1–6–1 0–3–1 30th
1936 West Tennessee State Teachers 0–9 0–7 32nd
West Tennessee State Normal/Teachers: 43–60–14 22–16–5
Total: 43–60–14
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "JOHN FULTON "UNCLE REMUS" COLLECTION 1878–1928" (PDF). May 22, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  2. ^ "Zach Curlin (1974) - M Club Hall of Fame". University of Memphis Athletics. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  3. ^ Bill Traughber. Vanderbilt Football: Tales of Commodore Gridiron History. p. 57.
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