Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-23

the front office. #
It seemed then that the veteran coach's MaN %
main chance for surviva-perhaps better
word is extenson-was to win most of those seat, ...
tough, preseason exhibitions. Curly failed ~
In the first wo without coming close The Angeles Rams
cobbered the Redskins, 27-7 and the EDIT hours
yesterday the San Francisco FortyN improved it,
30-7
Four years ago. Herman Ball. who was two coaches ago.
won all Of the Redskins exhibitions but denoted to
assistants rating adversely the champion
ship season later. That's the the cards
stacked for Redskn coach
LAMBEAU WAS NOT PRECISELY popular coach.
Many of the players dsked him because he caustic
and difficult to please Others liked him because his train
ing methods suited them. Eddie LeBaron would Red
skin this minute instead of Canadian Lacquer if it
not for the 56yearod Belgian LeBaron played fine
for the Redskins but Lambeau always found fault
AS for the FANS is doubtful they thought much about
Curly way o the other.
Marshall knew he getting an listed person.
atty when he hired Lambeau who had lost out after
lifetime of coaching at Green Bay. The suspicion
that Lambeau technique obsolete but Marshall evidently
was in a mood for an acid tongued driver
Those Nice Guy coaches Marshall had hired in the
past weren't long for the ob either bud DeGroot lasted
two seasons-1944 and 1945-and departed
relief DeGroot to the conclusion that he
coach in only Once he bitterly conded in friend
IF say to do something way Sammy Baugh to
do it another. So compromise We do it Baughs way
Big, friendly Turk Edwards, al-tme Redskin tackle
tried in 1s4e47-4S. His experience similar
DeGroots. Turk finally kicked upstairs, becoming
sort of executive vice president This practice
in professional sports circles and often precedes push
out the window.
HERMAN BALI. WAS coach with only high school
experience but he had lot of savvy and popular with
his Ball better qualified scout however and
he still works for the Redskins in this capacity Probably
he relieved when Todd given his job in 1884, when
Hunk Anderson unable his release from the Bears
Of all the coaches since the Redskins to Wash
ngton in 1887 only Ray Flaherty, the original, seemed
consistently able to fire the club Flaherty, single
wnger> tough, if but he understand
Ing too. Ray lasted through six
The Reds his and vhi
may have been times when the high command tempted
to fire him. it not Flaherty solid with the
cash customers He produced winners But in the long
his independence costly When the Navy released
him. Ray was not invited back
DUTCH BERGMAN PLAYED it smart coy and diplo-
maticaly Dutch tapped in 943 to succeed Faherty
and he the Eastern division title. Then Bergman
quit while he ahead He preferred Dutch explained
to advise and otherwise make himself useful.
But coach, mol
Perhaps the most disisioned coach was Admiral Bill
lick Whelchel who had coached with distinction at the
Naval Academy, but who had beep to and who
without hrst-hand experience with the Tformaton Mar
shall abruptly dismissed Wheches Of qualifications
by saying: Bick Whelche commanded cruisers battle
ships squadrons handle football players"
Whelches selection out Of the clear blue specu
laon which had included Paul Bryant Blair Cherry Fritz
who beaming look for days before he made pro-
ducton out of signing Wheche to fveyear contract.
When asked his man Bryant for instance Marshall
replied:
"1ts bigger name than Bryants"
SIS it Frank Leahy?"
"A bigger name than Leahy" Marshall intoned
wHELCHEL WAS SIGNED on February S. 1s4s. On
October % the Eagles waoped the Redskins 40 to H.
Marshall furious Il still this is good team he
snapped, "if it were properly handled"
That the beginning OF the end for the admiral.
On November 6, between the halves of game with Pitts
burgh, Whelchel told the squad he finished "But
wouldn't mind quitting winner" he added
What followed is remembered of the few emotional
peaks the Redskins reached in years. They from
behind to beat the seees then they carried Whelcel
off the field their shoulders It perhaps the shortest
hve-year tenure in sports history-half
In the dressing ROOM afterward, Marshall asked
to comment Whelchels Blowout
Hes had a tough tme," George conceded "A bad
press put him under fire."