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 Institute—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
McElwain in 1923 as Northwestern's football team captain
Biographical details
Born(1903-05-14)May 14, 1903
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedNovember 26, 1996(1996-11-26) (aged 93)
Big Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1921–1923Northwestern
1924Chicago Cardinals
1925Chicago Bears
1926Chicago Cardinals
Position(s)Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1927–1939Ferris Institute
Basketball
1927–1940Ferris Institute
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1927–?Ferris Institute
Head coaching record
Overall31–44–7 (football)
109–127 (basketball)

Head coaching record

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Football

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

References

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  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  .
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