Philosopher, Artist, Humorist, Football Coach…
Zuppke’s coaching career began in 1906 when he took the position of Athletic Director at Muskegon High School in Muskegon, MI. Along with being athletic director, he was also coach of the track, basketball, and football teams. In his four years at Muskegon, Zuppke accumulated a record of 29-4-2.
It was at Muskegon that Zuppke was credited with inventing the spiral pass and plays like the flea flicker and screen pass. Praise of Zuppke’s coaching successes led to offers from larger schools to head their programs. In 1910, he took a position in Cleveland before being convinced by a friend to work at Oak Park High School in Illinois instead. At Oak Park, Zuppke maintained his coaching dominance with a record of 29-2 over three seasons. His team won three straight championships and outscored their opponents 1,038 to 47.
Zuppke’s popularity continued to grow and in 1913 he accepted an offer from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign to become head football coach. From 1913-1941, Zuppke led the fighting Illini to a combined record of 131-81-13. During his tenure, they captured seven big ten championships and four national titles. He also coached undefeated seasons in 1914 and 1923. He was considered a dominant general on the field and news publications across the country lauded his successes.
As time went on Zuppke’s winning teams dwindled. His final decade as head coach was mostly plagued by poor performances. Between 1931-1941 he had just four seasons with a winning record and a record of 6-17-1 his final three years.
After retirement, Zuppke was a regular at events honoring former players and coaches. In 1951, he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame and in 1966 the gridiron at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois was named Zuppke Field in his honor.
"Zuppkeisms"
Robert Zuppke was known for quirky motivational phrases and sayings that came to be known as "Zuppkeisms". Here is a small sample of some of Zuppke’s infamous wise words:
“Never let hope elude you. That is life’s biggest fumble.”
“It’s not the start that counts, it’s the finish.”
“Like any good artist, a football player must learn to express himself with alert abandonment.”
“Matter made mind, but mind controls the things that matter.”
“Envy loses as many touchdowns as the opposition stops.”
“You cannot shake off your shadow, which should remind you that you cannot run away from yourself.”
“Don’t despise the little fellow. Champions come in all sizes.”
“We have to lose to appreciate winning.”
“When it rains, it rains on both teams, fifty-fifty.”
“All players look good in newspaper publicity before the season starts.”
“The hero of a thousand perfect plays becomes a bum after one error.”