 Franklin Cappon had a long history of association with Michigan athletics starting with his service as a four-time letterman in football and basketball from 1919 to 1923. In 1928, he became assistant football and basketball coach and in 1929 he served as Fielding H. Yost's assistant Athletic Director. Although the highlight of Cappon's tenure as coach was a 16 – 4 (9 – 3) third place 1936 – 37 Big Ten finish, he coached John Townsend who in his 1937 – 38 senior season became last All-American for at least 10 years. The team finished third in two other seasons with less impressive records of 10 – 8 overall (8 – 4, Big Ten) in 1932 – 33 and 15 – 5 overall (7 – 5, Big Ten) 1935 – 36, and Cappon's overall record was 78 – 57 overall (44 – 40, Big Ten). A notable captain during the Cappon era was 1933 – 34 captain Ted Petoskey, a two-time football All-American end and eventual Major League Baseball player.
