Robert Lee "Jack" Boone (May 28, 1918 – February 6, 1984) was an American football player and coach; most notably he served as head coach for the college football team of East Carolina College (now East Carolina University) for ten years.

Jack Boone
Boone pictured in The Buccaneer 1956, ECU yearbook
Biographical details
Born(1918-05-28)May 28, 1918
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedFebruary 6, 1984(1984-02-06) (aged 65)
Greenville, North Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
1938–1941Elon
1942Cleveland Rams
Position(s)Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1948–1951East Carolina (assistant)
1952–1961East Carolina
Baseball
1951–1953East Carolina
Head coaching record
Overall49–45–5 (football)
38–23–2 (baseball)
Bowls0–2
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
1 North State (1953)

Early years

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Boone was a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, and attended Elon College, where he played on the football team as a halfback from 1938 to 1941, and was co-captain in his senior year.[1][2] After his college career, he was signed by the Cleveland Rams in 1942,[3] and played in two games for them.[4] He later served in the US Navy during World War II.[5]

East Carolina

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Boone joined the coaching staff of East Carolina in September 1948, as assistant football coach.[6] He was the college baseball coach for three seasons. His teams posted a 38–23–2 record, for a .623 winning percentage. [7]

In 1952, Boone became head football coach for East Carolina,[8] the ninth in the program's history. That year, the Pirates saw their first action in the postseason when they played Clarion State College in the Lions Bowl, but lost 13–6. In 1953, the Pirates became the North State Conference champions and played in the Elks Bowl, where they lost 12–0 to Morris Harvey College. Boone was named the Coach of the Year in the North State Conference, after his team finished 8–2.[7] Boone's football coaching career lasted ten years, during which he compiled a 49–45–5 record. He was dismissed as head coach in November 1961.[9]

Later years

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Boone was inducted into the athletic hall of fame of Elon in 1972,[10] and of East Carolina in 1981.[7] He died in February 1984 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina.[5]

Head coaching record

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Football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
East Carolina Pirates (North State Conference / Carolinas Conference) (1952–1961)
1952 East Carolina 6–3–2 4–1–1 T–2nd L Lions
1953 East Carolina 8–2 6–0 1st L Elks[11]
1954 East Carolina 5–4–1 3–2 3rd
1955 East Carolina 4–5 3–2 3rd
1956 East Carolina 2–6–1 2–3 5th
1957 East Carolina 1–8 0–5 7th
1958 East Carolina 6–4 4–2 T–2nd
1959 East Carolina 5–6 3–3 4th
1960 East Carolina 7–3 4–2 3rd
1961 East Carolina 5–4–1 4–3 4th
East Carolina: 49–45–5 33–23–1
Total: 49–45–5
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ Hayden, Wesley (October 22, 1938). "Elon Pastes Appalachian 7-6 In Thrilling Revenge Battle". The Daily Times-News. Burlington, North Carolina. Retrieved April 1, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Panthers Seek First Win Over Elon Since 1932; Game Set Here". High Point Enterprise. High Point, North Carolina. October 28, 1941. Retrieved April 1, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Jack Boone Signs With Ram Eleven". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville, North Carolina. AP. January 23, 1942. Retrieved April 1, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Jack Boone, WB at NFL.com". NFL. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Ex-Pirate coach Boonie Dies". Star-News. AP. February 9, 1984. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  6. ^ "Dole Named ECTC Coach". Asheville Citizen-Times. Asheville, North Carolina. AP. February 8, 1949. Retrieved April 1, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b c "Jack Boone (1981) - ECU Athletics Hall of Fame".
  8. ^ "Jack Boone Named Grid Coach At East Carolina". Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. AP. April 20, 1952. Retrieved April 1, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "East Carolina Coach Jack Boone Dismissed In Surprising Move". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. AP. November 21, 1961. Retrieved April 1, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Robert L. "Jack" Boone (1972) - Hall of Fame".
  11. ^ "Harvey Triumphs In Elks Bowl Tilt". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. New York City. U.P. January 3, 1954. Retrieved March 29, 2017 – via newspapers.com.
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