The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-08-02
FORMER MINER COACHES LIONS
 IN PRO LEAGUE
Edwards Leaves Behind Brilliant Record at
 College
By ANTHONY G. DE LORENZO NInitAd presS Staff corrasuouSa,,tl

By ANTHONY c. DE LORENZO United Press Staff Correspondent
 Detroit, Aug. 2. (UP)-William Miller Edwards, who climbed from the depths of an Ohio coa mine to become one of the nations top-fight college football coaches gets chance soon to wave his magic wand over the Detroit Lions of the national pro league.
 Big Bill strung together a brilliant record of 49 victories, two ties and six defeats in six seasons as head coach at Western Reserve Univer- sity, Cleveland, O., but he's not making any predictions about his Lions until he's had a chance to see them under fire.
 We seem to have a lot of good material and we'll do the best we can with it." said Edwards, native of Massillon, O., cradle of profes- sional football.
 A squad of about 50, expected to include such standouts as Byron ((WhizzeO White, Lloyd Cardwell Charles (Cotton) Price, Fred Vanzo, Bill Shepherd and Alex Wojciecho- wicz, one of Fordham's Seven Blocks of Granite" will report to Edwards and his longtime aide, Roy Miller, at exclusive Cranbrook school near here Aug. il.
 New Talent Signed
 Edwards job is to give owner Fred Mandel, Jr., and Detroit fans a winning team. The Lions finished third in the leagues western divi- sion last season with a record oi five victories, five losses and one tie, Mandel wanted to do better, so he signed \ the 36-year-old former college coach and gave him some new talen to bolster the lineup.
 Among the newcomers to pro football and the Lions are Billy Jefferson and John Tripsan of Mis- sissippi State; Milt Piepul and Tom Gallagher of Notre Dame; Harry Hopp of Nebraska; Red Ishmael of Kentucky; Bob Nelson of Baylor; Augie Lio of Georgetown; Jap Davis of Ruke; Joe Manzo and Gene Goodreault of Boston college; Ted Paveic of the University of Detroit; Dick oBoth of Western Reserve, and Dick Gallagher of Iowa.
 Edwards got into football the hard way. He had to forego high school and descend into the pits of a Southern Ohio mine at the age of 14. He played football on Sundays and finally drew the attention of the MaSsillon High schol coach. The latter made it possible for Edwards to resume his schooling. From Mas sillon which takes its football seri- ously, young Bill went to Kiski prep school at Saltsburg, Pa, for two years, and then to Ohio State in 1927.
 Great College Center
 Edwards was captain of the freshman football team at Colum- bus, but switched to Wittenburg College where he became the finest center in the schools history. Twice he was named captain, an unpre- cedented hnoor at the little college.
 After graduation in 1881 Edwards coached at Springfield and Fostoria High schools in Ohio. Tn 1884 he went to Western Reserve as fresh man coach. When Head Coach Sam Williaman died in 1885, Edwards was named to succeed him.
 Football has been good to me, he will tell you any day of the week.
 He's enthusiastic about the game and for the chance to lead the Lions against such powerful oppo- nentS as the Chicago Bears, the Green Bay aPckers, the New oYrk Giants, the Cleveland Rams and Brooklyn.
 Football is work and play all rolled into one" Edwards said. When players find the game is fun they begin to win"
 Edwards will be the Lions fifth coach in as many years. He may be the one to check the rapid turn nvnr