Evening star., 1950-11-21
Marshall Not Ready
TO Disclose Plans
For Next Season
By Lewis r. Atchison

By Lewis F. Atehison
Herman Balls future with the
Redskins seemed brighter today
as George Marshall. president Of
the club, declared the coach will
handle the teams draft selections
in the annual National Football
League meeting at Chicago. jan
uary II. And there is q good
chance Ball will coach the Red
skins again in 1861.
Neither Ball. who has encoun-
tered the worst luck ever to be-
fall Redskin coach, nor Mar
shall is ready to discuss the fu-
ture. Ball has seen enough
coaches come and go to be fully
cognizant of his position. It isn't
comfortable, but Herman believes
he has the makings of winner
ami undoubtedly would like to
have enough time to put it all
together. ...--. -.
Ball has said he thinks the
Redskins will be a championship
contender in 1852, barring whole
sale stripping of the roster by
the military. The next question
Is will Marshall hold still that
long or can he afford to wait with
the fans demanding a winner.
Fans on Balls Side.
''I haven't thought about next
years coaching staff" Marshall
said today. But so far I haven't
received ANY sizzling letters from
the fans about the team"
He may not receive any, for the
fans seem to be on Balls side. Only
recently group of Touchdown
Club members wanted to launch
a Keep Ball" campaign and bonn
bard Redskin headquarters with
letters to that effect. The move
ment was quietly headed off, how
ever. for fear that pressure would
be resented by Marshall and have
an adverse effect.
Marshall is one of Balls
staunchest supporters, and for
some practical reasons. Most i'm
portant is the way Herman has
conducted his end of the clubs
affairs in regard to scouting talent
and signing players. Never be-
fore have the clubs internal af-
fairs been handled so smoothly,
and if Ball doesn't return as head
coach Marshall may try to per-
suade him to remain with the
club as sort of a personnel direc-
tor.
The idea might be repugnant to
Ball, who is first of all a football
technician in the truest sense of
the word. Around the National
League circuit one gathers that
Herman will have no trouble max
ing other connections If he leaves
the Redskins. and at least one COL
iege is interested In him as a head
coach.
Cherry May Take Pro Job.
It is rumored that Blair Cherry
who recently announced his resig- |
nation at Texas, viii coach a pro
5ealn in 81. He was one of Mar
sl1alps candidates to succeed Bill
lck Whelchel as Redskins coach
last year and it Is natural to pre-
sume that Marshall would still
Ike to have him, If he decided to
make a change. It also is bruited |
about that Cherry may go to the
Detroit Lions, where his old friend, |
Bo McMillin, is reported ready to
step out at the end of this season. |
Meanwhile, Ball Is quietly going
ahead with preparation for Sun
days game with the Baltimore
Colts at Griffith Stadium. hoping
to whip them and possibly the
Pittsburgh Steelers to improve
the record. The teams outstand-
ing performance against the
Brownsville were lucky to win a
20-14 decision-did nothing to
hurt his chances Of continuing on
as coach. In fact, Ball has made
surprisingly few mistakes and
f1elded q team that has been at
least interesting, If not a winning
combination.
Ball has not talked to Marshall
about the Redskins plans for next
season. aside from discussing po-
tential draft choices. Both seem
content to wait until the season is
over before making any moves.
But 1t will seem strange, indeed,
Tor one man to select the players
Tor another man to coach.