Lester Leighton "Fuzz" Watt (April 2, 1894 – January 19, 1952) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa from 1927 to 1935, compiling a record of 27–42–7. Watt also coached track and field and golf as Grinnell and was an assistant coach in baseball.

Lester Watt
Biographical details
Born(1894-04-02)April 2, 1894
Taylor County, Iowa, U.S.
DiedJanuary 19, 1952(1952-01-19) (aged 57)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1916–1918Grinnell
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1919–1925Argentine High School (KS)
1926Theodore Roosevelt HS (IA)
1927–1935Grinnell
1939–1941Grinnell HS (IA)
Basketball
1919–1926Argentine High School (KS)
1939–1942Grinnell HS (IA)
Head coaching record
Overall27–42–7 (college football)

Watt starred in athletics in high school in Villisca, Iowa and then at Grinnell, where he played college football as a quarterback.[1] Watt coached at Argentine High School in Kansas City, Missouri from 1919 to 1926 and then at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa for a year before returning to Grinnell in 1927.[2] Watt resigned from his post at Grinnell in early 1936 to enter business with the sporting goods department of L. H. Kurtz Co.[3][4] In 1939, he was hired as football and basketball coach at Grinnell High School.[5]

Watt died on January 19, 1952, at a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.[6]

Head coaching record

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College football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Grinnell Pioneers (Missouri Valley Conference) (1927–1935)
1927 Grinnell 0–7–1 0–5 10th
1928 Grinnell 4–3–1 1–2 3rd
1929 Grinnell 5–1–2 1–0–2 2nd
1930 Grinnell 5–4 1–2 4th
1931 Grinnell 5–3 1–2 4th
1932 Grinnell 3–4–1 1–3 6th
1933 Grinnell 0–8–1 0–3 6th
1934 Grinnell 2–7 0–2 5th
1935 Grinnell 3–5–1 1–2 T–5th
Grinnell: 27–42–7 6–21–2
Total: 27–42–7

References

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  1. ^ "Hutchinson Boy A Star On Grinnell, Ia., Team". The Hutchinson News. Hutchinson, Kansas. November 8, 1917. p. 6. Retrieved July 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .
  2. ^ "Mike Augustine Goes to East High; Lester Watt Is New Roosevelt Coach". Des Moines Tribune. Des Moines, Iowa. June 2, 1926. p. 16. Retrieved July 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .
  3. ^ Taylor, Sec (February 8, 1936). "Fuzz Watt Resigns as Head Grinnell Football Coach". Des Moines Sunday Register. Des Moines, Iowa. p. 1, sports section. Retrieved July 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .
  4. ^ Taylor, Sec (February 8, 1936). "No Successor Selected For Pioneer Post (continued)". Des Moines Sunday Register. Des Moines, Iowa. p. 4, sports section. Retrieved July 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .
  5. ^ "Lester L. Watt Is New Football Coach At Grinnell School". The Daily Times. Davenport, Iowa. Associated Press. May 15, 1939. p. 16. Retrieved July 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .
  6. ^ "Funeral Services Tuesday for Watt". The Daily Nonpareil. Council Bluffs, Iowa. January 21, 1952. p. 8. Retrieved July 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com  .