Evening star., 1959-11-05
SPOTLIGHT
ON
SPORTS
They Like Hardin at ANNAPOLIS
BY BILL FUCHS

THE sEANY SIDE OF college football seems to show
itself whenever football team used to winning suddenly
stops doing But at Annapolis the few wolves that
may be bowling in the direction of Wayne Hardin may
Just as we'll confne their barking to the moon.
For despite record of only two victories in seven
games to show for his first Navys head COACH
Hardin never has been in solid with his bosses.
Other colleges having troubles on the field with new
head coaches-ncuding Maryland Notre Dame and Army
may do well to listen to Capt Red Coward Navys athletic
director who points up problem facing all coaches
and which is generally overlooked
NO MATTER WHO the coach is, Coward says he has
to over his athletes THE coach that Just left Coward
says eaves behind with his players intense feeling of
loyalty and affection. That's normal It's not Intentional
but kids just don't change their feelings overnight"
SO it with Eddie Erdelatz, highly personable
guy who stood with his athletes about like Rcky Nelson
stands with the average junior high school girl
There have been few potshots taken at Hardin a
32year-od redhead who has tendency to blame himself
for his teams lapses.
Coward, though, along with Rip Miller and others
along the Severn solidy behind the coach than
before the Middies lost that first game to Southern
Methodist.
THEY'RE COMING ALONG fast now, the players and
Wayne" Capt Coward says Through those defeats we
have Wayne, himself, grow in stature There never
has been any doubt about the mans abilities.
Hes technically sound and he's quick. He things
on the field none of see. He's fine guy and
gentleman believe you'll see tangible proof Of that this
year"
This year? "This year." Coward emphasizes II saw
the difference in the last quarter of the Penn game The
gap has closed We played great game at Notre Dame
think around December you guys will be writing about
Navys great comeback"
"IT is CERTAIN FEELING that kid gets for his
COACH" Coward says Call it loyalty, affection, don't
know but it's there and all important About 10 Of
boys got the feeling early but the rest took longer think
really got the hump last week in practice. It
showed in the Notre Dame game"
1t was quite spell Erdelatz had cast his players
He not only their leader the field but forever
battling get them extra concessions the thing that got
him on the wrong side of school officials.
In fact though there public warning that the
Erdelaz regime would end suddenly last spring. school
officials the end coming much year earlier AS
close to the and wishing to remain anonymous
put it, 1--WE had do something get the football team
back into the academy"
ERDELATZ TOOK OVER at Navy in 1850, assuming
charge of team that had only five of its previous SO
games That the year the Middies came up against
highly favored Army team and staged thrilling 142 upset
Erdeatz struggled through the 1851 season. winning
only two but that his last losing at Annapolis
and his string of triumphs included two bowl victories
Hardins position differs in that he is following the
heels Of winner, much dangerous road to travel
But otherwise he is starting from scratch beginner who
needs time.
AS for comeback this season, Capt Coward no doubt
Is thinking ahead to the Army game. Victory Mary
land this week end is quite possible and George
Washington probable Victory Army? Well, it could
their holes.