George Blackburn (American football)

George Blackburn

Biographical details
Born	(1913-10-14)October 14, 1913 Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Died	May 15, 2006(2006-05-15) (aged 92) Dublin, Ohio, U.S.
Playing career
c. 1935	Findlay
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1947	Miami (OH) (assistant)
1948	Miami (OH)
1949–1953	Cincinnati (assistant)
1954	Army (assistant)
1955–1960	Cincinnati
1964	Virginia (assistant)
1965–1970	Virginia
Head coaching record
Overall	60–61–7
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 MAC (1948)
Awards
ACC Coach of the Year (1968)

George Edward "Blackie" Blackburn (October 14, 1913 – May 15, 2006) was an American football player, coach, and scout. He served as the head coach at Miami University (1948), the University of Cincinnati (1955–1960), and the University of Virginia (1965–1970), compiling a career college football record of 60–61–7. Blackburn was also an assistant coach under coaching legends Sid Gillman at Miami and Cincinnati and under Earl Blaik at the United States Military Academy.

Early life

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Blackburn graduated from Findlay College in 1936. At Findlay he played football and baseball.

Coaching career

Miami

As an assistant, Blackburn helped Sid Gillman lead the Miami Redskins to a victory over Texas Tech in the 1948 Sun Bowl. Blackburn was named head coach for the 1948 season after Gillman left. Blackburn stayed at Miami's head coach for one season guiding the team to 7–1–1 record and the 1948 Mid-American Conference championship. In 1949, Gillman took the head coaching position at the University of Cincinnati and Blackburn his assistant coach there. Woody Hayes succeeded Blackburn at Miami for the 1949 season.

Cincinnati

When Gillman left Cincinnati for the Los Angeles Rams for the 1955 season, Blackburn replaced him again. In his six years as the Bearcats' head coach, he compiled an overall record of 25–27–6.

Virginia

Blackburn was an assistant under Bill Elias for one season at the University of Virginia before being named head coach in 1965. During his six years as the Cavaliers' head coach, he compiled an overall record of 28–33. In 1968, he was named Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Cavaliers to a 7–3 record.

Scouting career

After leaving Virginia, Blackburn spent 17 years as a professional football scout with the New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers, and New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL).

Death

Blackburn died on May 15, 2006, in Dublin, Ohio.

Head coaching record

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs
Miami Redskins (Mid-American Conference) (1948)
1948	Miami	7–1–1	4–0	1st
Miami:		7–1–1	4–0
Cincinnati Bearcats (Independent) (1955–1956)
1955	Cincinnati	1–6–2
1956	Cincinnati	4–5
Cincinnati Bearcats (Missouri Valley Conference) (1957–1960)
1957	Cincinnati	5–4–1	1–3–1	4th
1958	Cincinnati	6–2–2	1–2–2	4th
1959	Cincinnati	5–4–1	0–3–1	5th
1960	Cincinnati	4–6	1–2	3rd
Cincinnati:		25–27–6	3–10–4
Virginia Cavaliers (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1965–1970)
1965	Virginia	4–6	2–4	7th
1966	Virginia	4–6	3–3	T–3rd
1967	Virginia	5–5	3–3	4th
1968	Virginia	7–3	3–2	3rd
1969	Virginia	3–7	1–5	8th
1970	Virginia	5–6	0–6	8th
Virginia:		28–33	12–23
Total:		60–61–7
National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth