Harry Downes

Henry J. "Harry" Downes (August 3, 1910 – February 5, 1970) was an American football player and coach.

Harry Downes
Downes pictured in Sub Turri 1932, Boston College yearbook
Biographical details
Born(1910-08-03)August 3, 1910
DiedFebruary 5, 1970(1970-02-05) (aged 59)
Playing career
1929–1931Boston College
Position(s)Center
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1932–1935Boston College (line)
1935Boston College
1936Boston College (backfield)
1937Quincy HS (MA)
1938–1970Brookline HS (MA)
Head coaching record
Overall3–2 (college)

Playing career

An All-American at Boston College, his football playing career ended in 1931 due to an injury suffered against Holy Cross. In 1933, he pitched for Barnstable in the Cape Cod Baseball League.[1][2]

Coaching career

In 1935, Downes became Boston College's head coach after Dinny McNamara resigned due to illness after four games. At the age of 25, he became one of the youngest head coaches in the history of college football. After going 3–2 in the remaining five games, he was replaced the next season by Gil Dobie and demoted to assistant coach.

In 1937, Downes became head football coach at Quincy High School in Quincy, Massachusetts. From 1938 until his death in 1970, he was head coach at Brookline High School.

Legacy

The football field at Brookline High was named in honor of him, however in 2006 the name was changed to the Kraft Family Athletic Facility at Harry Downes Field after New England Patriots owner and BHS alumnus Robert Kraft donated $400,000 toward the renovation of the field and encouraged the National Football League to donate an additional $200,000 to the project.

Head coaching record

College
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Boston College Eagles (Independent) (1935)
1935 Boston College 3–2[n 1]
Boston College: 3–2
Total:3–2

Notes
  1. Dinny McNamara coached the first four games of the season.

References
  1. "Cape Cod League". Falmouth Enterprise. Falmouth, MA. August 31, 1933. p. 7.
  2. Davis, Hartley R. (July 21, 1960). "Cape Cod League Yesteryears". Barnstable Patriot. Barnstable, MA. p. 6.


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