James DeHart (August 25, 1893 – March 4, 1935) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Washington and Lee University from 1922 to 1925 and again from 1931 to 1932 and at Duke University from 1926 to 1930, compiling a career college football record of 51–50–6. In 1935, he signed a contract to become the head coach at Southwestern University—now known as Rhodes College—in Memphis, Tennessee, but fell ill and died while relocating.[2] DeHart attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he played football for the Panthers from 1914 to 1916 and in 1918. Hailed as a "star", he played quarterback under head coach Pop Warner and led the 1916 team to an undefeated season.[3][4] He also earned letters in basketball, baseball, and track at Pittsburgh.[5] DeHart put his college education on hiatus to serve in the United States Army during World War I. As a lieutenant in the Aviation Section, he coached a service team at Mather Field.[5] He returned to Pittsburgh after his time in the Army. After graduation, he coached the backfield at the University of Georgia from 1920 to 1921.[5]

James DeHart
DeHart circa 1927
Biographical details
Born(1893-08-25)August 25, 1893
Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1]
DiedMarch 4, 1935(1935-03-04) (aged 41)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1914–1916Pittsburgh
1918Pittsburgh
Basketball
1915–1917Pittsburgh
Position(s)Quarterback (football)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1920–1921Georgia (backfield)
1922–1925Washington and Lee
1926–1930Duke
1931–1932Washington and Lee
Head coaching record
Overall51–50–6
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 SoCon (1923)

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Washington and Lee Generals (Southern Conference) (1922–1925)
1922 Washington and Lee 5–3–1 1–2 T–11th
1923 Washington and Lee 6–2–1 4–0–1 T–1st
1924 Washington and Lee 6–3–1 4–1–1 5th
1925 Washington and Lee 5–5 5–1 4th
Duke Blue Devils (Independent) (1926–1927)
1926 Duke 3–6
1927 Duke 4–5
Duke Blue Devils (Southern Conference) (1928–1930)
1928 Duke 5–5 1–1 T–10th
1929 Duke 4–6 2–1 T–7th
1930 Duke 8–1–2 4–1–1 4th
Duke: 24–23–2 7–3–1
Washington and Lee Generals (Southern Conference) (1931–1932)
1931 Washington and Lee 4–5–1 2–3 14th
1932 Washington and Lee 1–9 1–4 T–18th
Washington and Lee: 27–27–4 17–11–2
Total: 51–50–6
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Athletic Journal". 1934.
  2. ^ "Jimmy DeHart Fights Battle". Herald-Journal. Associated Press. March 3, 1935. p. 19. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  3. ^ 2010 Pittsburgh Football Media Guide, p. 179, University of Pittsburgh, 2010.
  4. ^ Brietz, Eddie (September 17, 1929). "Plenty Sophs on Duke Squad Enliven Team". The Miami News. Associated Press. p. 19. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c "Jimmy DeHart, Noted Grid Mentor, Passes". The Evening Independent. Associated Press. March 5, 1935. p. Four-A. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
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