Harry Heller
American college football player and coach (1874–1917)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harry Lionel Heller (October 14, 1874 – April 2, 1917) was an American football player and coach. He served as the first head football coach at the University of Colorado at Boulder, coaching one season in 1894 and compiling a record of 8–1.[1]
Ottawa, Kansas, U.S.
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
| |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 14, 1874 Ottawa, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | April 2, 1917 (aged 42) Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Baker University University of Colorado |
| Playing career | |
| 1893–1894 | Baker |
| 1894 | Colorado |
| 1895 | Denver Athletic Club |
| Position | Halfback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1894 | Colorado |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 8–1 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 1 Colorado Football Association (1894) | |
Biography
Early life and career
Heller was born in Ottawa, Kansas on October 14, 1874. He moved to Chanute sometime during his childhood.[2] He attended Baker University and played as a halfback on the football team during the early 1890s. In 1894, Heller became the first head coach of the University of Colorado football team with the recommendation of team captain Harry P. Gamble.[3] During the season, he led Colorado to its first conference championship. Heller stepped down as head coach following the season.[4] The following year in 1895, Heller played on Denver Athletic Club's football team.[5]
Later life
Heller later moved to Kansas City where he graduated from medical college and practiced medicine. On December 4, 1900, he married Margaret Berenice Macdonald (1880–1948).[6] The two had a daughter, Margaret (1905–2005).[7][8] Heller died in Kansas City from pneumonia on April 2, 1917.[2]
Head coaching record
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Silver and Gold (Colorado Football Association) (1894) | |||||||||
| 1894 | Colorado | 8–1 | 5–0 | 1st | |||||
| Colorado: | 8–1 | 5–0 | |||||||
| Total: | 8–1 | ||||||||
| National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
