Eddie Erdelatz (April 21, 1913 – November 10, 1966) was an American collegiate and Professional Football player and coach who was the head football coach of the U.S. Naval Academy for nine years, as well as holding the distinction of being the first head coach of the American Football League's Oakland Raiders.
Erdelatz's mother died two weeks after his birth. He played three years at end for St. Mary's College in California beginning in 1932 unde...
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Eddie Erdelatz (April 21, 1913 – November 10, 1966) was an American collegiate and Professional Football player and coach who was the head football coach of the U.S. Naval Academy for nine years, as well as holding the distinction of being the first head coach of the American Football League's Oakland Raiders.
Erdelatz's mother died two weeks after his birth. He played three years at end for St. Mary's College in California beginning in 1932 under the Slip Madigan. In one case, a scraped leg that led to infection (and possible amputation) failed to keep him off the field, while his senior season was not stopped, despite a shoulder separation and twisted knee.
In 1936, Erdelatz became St. Mary's line coach under Madigan, leaving for a similar position with the University of San Francisco two years later. By 1940, he found himself back at St. Mary's for yet another two year stint that was followed by service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Having risen to the rank of lieutenant...
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