Bill McElwain

William Thompson McElwain (May 14, 1903 – November 26, 1996) was an American football player and coach of football and basketball. McElwain played college football at Northwestern University and professionally in the National Football League (NFL) with the Chicago Cardinals and alongside Red Grange with the Chicago Bears.[1] McElwain served as the head football coach at Ferris State College—now known as Ferris State University—in Big Rapids, Michigan from 1927 to 1939, compiling a record of 31–44–7.[2] He was also the head basketball coach at Ferris State from 1927 to 1940, tallying a mark of 109–127.

Bill McElwain

Biographical details
Born	May 14, 1903 Chicago, Illinois
Died	November 26, 1996 (aged 93) Big Rapids, Michigan
Playing career
Football
1921–1923	Northwestern
1924	Chicago Cardinals
1925	Chicago Bears
1926	Chicago Cardinals
Position(s)	Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1927–1939	Ferris
Basketball
1927–1940	Ferris
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1927–?	Ferris State
Head coaching record
Overall	31–44–7 (football) 109–127 (basketball)

Head coaching record

Football

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs
Ferris Bulldogs (Independent) (1927–1937)
1927	Ferris	4–3
1928	Ferris	6–2
1929	Ferris	3–2–1
1930	Ferris	3–3
1931	Ferris	3–4–1
1932	No team
1933	Ferris	2–4
1934	Ferris	1–5
1935	Ferris	4–2
1936	Ferris	1–5–1
1937	Ferris	2–3–2
Ferris Bulldogs (Michigan-Ontario Collegiate Conference) (1938–1939)
1938	Ferris	0–5–2
1939	Ferris	2–6
Ferris:		31–44–7
Total:		31–44–7

References

1. "Illini Club with Friends Great Famous Sorrel Top with Rousing Banquet". The Miami News. Miami, Florida. December 24, 1925. p. 1. Retrieved July 10, 2019 – via Newspapers.com .
2. "Former Purple Star to Coach at Ferris". Battle Creek Enquirer. Battle Creek, Michigan. Associated Press. July 19, 1927. p. 1. Retrieved March 1, 2018 – via Newspapers.com .

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Pro Football Reference
• Bill McElwain at Find a Grave