Evening star., 1947-01-18
|Southerner Is Second
Naval Grid Product
|CorraIed as Coach
By Froncis E. Stonn

the University of Maryland ap-
peared to be looking to a young
Southern coach and a Navy veteran
to lead its football forces out of the
wilderness.
Barring a startling last-minute
development, Jim Tatum, 33-year-
old native of McColl, S. c., and coach
Of Oklahoma In 1946, was to be
named officially today as Maryland's
head coach as well as athletic di-
rector.
In a telephone conversation with
The Star Tatum said that Oklahoma
rendered a salary raise following
the Maryland offer, but that "a
chance to be both head coach and
athletic director at q major college
is something not everybody In my
business gets" His salary, follow
ing the increase, was reported to
be $4,000.
Tatum further revealed that un-
der the terms Of his contract at
Oklahoma he has two more years
to serve, but ne indicated that he
would be released to accept the post
proffered by President H. c. (Curly)
Byrd at College Park.
Tatum, a T-formation coach and
cousin of Army's all-America full
back, Felix Doc) Blanchard, would
be the fifth Maryland head coach
in the last six years and the second
young mentor hired by DR.. Byrd
over this stretch. In 1915 Maryland
brought the 32-year-old Paul
Bryant from Alabama and was re-
warded by one OF its few winning
records in several seasons.
After a year. however, Bryant &C
cepted long term contract to coach
at Kentucky.
Like Bryant, Tatum served in the
physical and military training pro-
gram for naval aviation, section
originally set up by Capt. Tom
Hamilton, present Naval Academy
coach. He was discharged with the
rank of lieutenant.
At least one assistant will accom-
pany him to College Park, Tatum
disclosed. He is Walter Driskill OF
the University of Colorado, another
Navy veteran.
Yesterdays long meeting of the
Oklahoma Board Of Regents gave
rise to report that Tatum might
be offered the post of athletic direc-
tor at Norman, but Tatum denied
that he had any desire to fill that
capacity because of his friendship
with L. E. Jap) Haskell, who now
holds the job. Haskell is another
former member of the Hamilton
program. IT never would consider
staying at the university (Okla-
homa) unless Jap Haskell was ath-
letic director" said Tatum,
Two more meetings were sched-
uled in Norman today, Tatum said
"I want to talk to the football
squad,' he said, land I understand
the athletic council is convening.
It was expected thai after the meet
ing of the council the official an
nouncement of Tatum's departure
will be announced.
The Maryland coaching job was
left open last week when CLARK
Shaughnessy retired for the second
time since 1912, and the athletic
dictatorship will be open when Geary
Eppley steps out to devote his full
time to duties as director of stu
dent welfare and dean of men
Tatum's choice, incidentally, had
been approved in advance at a ses-
sion of the Maryland Athletic
Board.
In his fir year at Oklahoma
Tatum won the co-championship OF
the Big Six al nd bowl victory. Dur
ing an 11-game campaign the Soon
ers lost only to Army, Texas and
Kansas, and walloped North Caro-
lima State in the Gator Bowl.
Serving as head coach, however,
was not new to Tatum despite his
youth. In 1942 he tutored North
Carolina and in 1945 he was head
coach of the Jacksonville Naval Air
Station team.
Tatum, an All-Southern tackle at
lNVI Ukl SdA o4AA1d, SAoouneSA AAA 1SSo
and served as assistant to Carl
Snavely for five years at Cornell.
After returning to his alma mater
for the 1912 season, he coached the
line of the Iowa Pref1ight Seahawks
in 1943. He spent the next two years
at Jacksonville.
At Oklahoma his team led the Ma
ton in defense against rushing
while at the same time winning a
reputation as a ground-galnlng
eleven. The Sooners averaged more
than 315 yards a game.
II will hate to leave Oklahoma,
he said. Among other things I'm
leaving the makings of real good
team" An assistant, Charles (Bud)
Wilkinson, was expected to succeed
Tatum.