Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-04-13
WIN, LOSE OR
UkAW By FRANCIS s7ANN
Eddie ErdeIutz-At Liberty

vi. 1T MAY BE SOME TIME before the full story Of
Eddie Erdelatz resignation at the Naval Academy is
brought to light Eddie himself isn't talking I'D rather
not say any more than in my statement last week. %
Erdeatz said today at his Annapolis home.
The burly coach has definite plans at the moment,
he says regards his bread winning 1--WE had
several Offers Eddie disclosed land not all of them are
in the coaching field Some in business.
Il like coaching I'll admit Maybe I'll wait until they
start playing musical chairs again-you know after next
season. When the music stops hope I'll be sitting down
in of the chairs"
Eddie asked if he had a preference for coaching
pro or college football He's done both and during his
nine years at Navy has listened to offers from both pros
and colleges
Frankly" he said, "rd rather stay in college ball.
! like working with boys"
BEYOND A VAGUE ADMISSION that resignng at
Navy had crossed his mind in the past Erdelaz wouldn't
pnpoint his for his sudden decision last was
it because of difference with the present athletic direc
tor?" he was asked
I'D rather not comment" Erdelatz replied This
answer was not surprising One close the foot
ball situation at Annapolis predicted type
OF reply Eddie is being paid up August 49," he stated
land doubt If he'll talk before the time up Whether
he'll give his side of the story then anybodys guess
So far Capt Slade Cutter the athletic director, has
issued most of the public statements Capt. Cutter puts
much stress on the Importance of coach staying within
our framework He sounds if Erdelaz couldn't do it
any longer Eddie had trouble adjusting to that philos
ophy," Capt Cutter admitted.
ALL DURING HIS SMASHINGLY successful regime
at Navy, Erdelatz was closer to his players, perhaps
than most bgtime coaches He stood up for them when
academy officials would have regmented the athletes
the same as the non-atheteS regmented. Capt.
Cutters predecessors apparently compromised with Erde
latz to greater extent than the present athletic director
When he took athletic director, Capt Cutter
promptly broke into the sports page by referring
all games on Nays schedule except the with Army
as "scrimmages" Erdeatz did quick burn 1--WE sure
nj fr1a vim Rore
images with Notre Dame and of the other teams"
he remarked
AS time on however, Erdelatz had no public
comment whenever Capt Cutter issued statement even
one such as bemoaning Nays lack of climax runner
Erdeatz, who was trying to convince couple of his ball
carriers they could be climax runners refused to be
drawn into controversy.
ERDELATz is THE SECOND head coach with pro-
background to work at Navy and he far ouased
George Sauer his predecessor In his years Sauer
was oewildered and unhappy young Navy football
was at low point and George could do nothing raise
the level Now athletic director at Baylor glad
to leave.
Erdelatz record of so wins 26 losses and eight ties
was tremendous because in his first few years Eddie
didn't have the material that later and he
was new to head coaching Eddie first to admit that
he owed much in his early days to the encouragement
given him by such naval officers as Capts Tom Hamilton
and Killer Kane, who like Cutter had been athletic
stars too.
Eddes deft professional touch is bound to be missed
He had flair for turning out teams that gambed willingly
and threw the ball. Two outstanding successes in
bowl gameS-the Sugar and Cotton-and third might
nave played posseaSon academy officials hadn't
decided that tie with Army had sufficiently marred the
Mlddles record. The players didn't share the vew nor
did Erdelatz.
Many complications must have piled up to convince
EDDIE with three years go on his contract that he
would be better of by resgnng And it's bad because
IL isn't every day coach with Erdelatz imagination is
operating in the neighborhood.