Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-21
RUSH HAILED
AS GREAT COACH
AT PRINCETON
Frowned Upon, SPEEDY"
Develops Tiger Team in
Rapid Manner
OVERCOMES HANDICAP

Princetonians hail John SPEEDY" Rush
as wonder. Right now he has all the
assistance that any football coach could
ask for. 1. was only few weeks ago
that his regular coaches apparently were
not trying to help him any more than
was absolutely necessary. Such is the
strange and sudden change OF feeling at
Princeton toward the "bush league"
tutor.
When Rush was appointed head coach
at Princeton even loyal Princetonians
held up their hands in horror. What
could the Football Committee be thinking
of to appoint a man who had never won
his varsity letter or coached a college
eleven of any sort to such an important
position?
There was nothing but disaster staring
the Tigers in the face, according TO the
wise heads at Princeton, but Rush has
fooled them all. He has not beaten Dart
mouth, Harvard and Yale yet, but he has
proved conclusively that he is a real
coach. There are many OF his early sea-
son critics who believe he may win at
least two of these games.
When Rush took charge Of the Prince
ton team he faced the most discouraging
task that ever confronted a big college
coach. His first great handicap was his
reputation. He had never played with
varsity eleven or earned his varsity let
ter; while his coaching experience was
confined TO tutoring the University
School, a scholastic team in Cleveland.
The next handicaps were the lack OF
material and the unwillingness OF veteran
Princeton stars to respond to the call for
coaching assistance. Whether II merely
was an odd circumstance that found all
OF the desired men too busy to spare the
time or lack of confidence in Rush is un-
known. The fact remains that unit, he
had beaten the powerful Rutgers eleven
with the green Tiger team he practically
was alone in the coaching, save for Jim
Cooney
After that victory Rush was given
plenty Of assistance and the Princeton
team has been advancing at a rapid clip
The players will be on edge for Dart
mouth on Saturday and they then will
ease up until the time comes TO prepare
for Harvard and Yale
Rush opened the season with practically
no backfield material TO speak Of barring
the first string. He has switched ends
and tackles into the backheld without
crippling the line and now has SO many
star backs Il Is said that II is doubtful
II Dave Tibbott, star of the Rutgers game
and veteran back, will be able to make
the regular team.
Perhaps the greatest stroke OF coaching
genius pulled of by Rush was the placing
OF Jack Eddy. a substitute end, at half
back, against the advice Of other coaches,
and developing him into a sensation In
two weeks time. Eddy's work at half
back has been wonderful and he is hailed
as another Mahan.
Princeton will be without the services
Of Charley semmens. tackle In the Dart
mouth game, and his absence will be
felt. Semmens was kept out OF the La
fayette game In order to rest him for
Dartmouth, but In the scrimmage early
In the week he injured his right leg.
which has troubled him for several weeks
II is possible that he viii not return 10
the game for the remainder Of the season
Rnsh's ability TO make good as a big
college coach was doubted In the East,
but In the Middle West football coaches
and critics believed In his ability TO make
good.
Charley Barrett. cornel's sensations
quarterback; Earl sprackllng, Of Brown,
who was an All-American quarterback
several years ago; Franz Harvard half
back, and dozens OF Western stars and
other Eastern players OF lesser note were
developed by Rush at Cleveland.
All OF the men he has turned out have
made a great Impression on their coll
legiate coach, because they knew the
game thoroughly. This seasons Prince
ton team will play football at All times,
regardless Of what the nnai score may b..