Hubbry Logo
Jock SutherlandJock SutherlandMain
Open search
Jock Sutherland
Community hub
Jock Sutherland
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Jock Sutherland
Jock Sutherland
Jock Sutherland
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

John Bain Sutherland (March 21, 1889[1][2] – April 11, 1948) was a Scottish-American football player and coach. He coached college football at Lafayette College (1919–1923) and the University of Pittsburgh (1924–1938) and professional football for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1940–1941) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1946–1947). He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

A native of Coupar Angus in Scotland, Sutherland got his start in football by playing end at the University of Pittsburgh, commonly known as Pitt, under legendary coach Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner. Sutherland was named an All-American and played on Pitt's national championship teams in 1915 and 1916.

Sutherland also played on Pitt's undefeated 1917 team. The 1917 team was known as "The Fighting Dentists" because on occasion every position was filled by dental students.[5] The dental students on the 1917 team included Sutherland,[6] Katy Easterday,[7] Skip Gougler,[8] "Tank" McLaren[9] and "Jake" Stahl.[10] Sutherland also lettered in wrestling and captained the track and field team at Pitt for which he specialized in the hammer throw, discus, and shot put. He was also a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, Psi Omega national dental fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa, and the Druids Society, a secret society at the university.[11] Sutherland graduated from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Dentistry, where he also held a professorship in the instruction of bridge and crown.[6]

Coaching

[edit]

In 1919, Sutherland played in a few games with the Massillon Tigers of the Ohio League, which was the direct predecessor to the modern National Football League. However, he soon left the team and began his head coaching career at Lafayette College from 1919 to 1923, leading the Leopards to the 1921 Eastern Collegiate Championship.[12]

University of Pittsburgh

[edit]
Jock Sutherland sitting on a track and field hurdle.
Sutherland in 1937

In 1924, Sutherland replaced "Pop" Warner, his former coach and mentor, as head coach at Pitt. Sutherland, who was described as "a national hero" in a Saturday Evening Post article,[13] became a highly admired and influential coach at the university while compiling a record of 111–20–12. On offense, he ran a double-wing formation known as the "Sutherland Scythe".[14] He was known for his calm and direct demeanor, never shouting or ranting to motivate his team.[15]

During his tenure, Sutherland's teams were named Eastern football champions seven times including 1925, 1927, 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, and 1937.[16] During this time, Pitt appeared in four Rose Bowl games (1928, 1930, 1933, and 1937) and turned down a bid for the 1938 Rose Bowl.[14] Sutherland's teams were named "National Champions" by various selectors for nine different seasons including 1925, 1927, 1929, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937, and 1938.[17][18] Of these, the University of Pittsburgh officially recognizes five of those years as national championship seasons (1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, and 1937),[18] while one of them, 1937, includes the Associated Press national championship designation which, at the time, was only the second instance in which the AP poll had been published. Sutherland coached the famed "Dream Backfield" of John Chickerneo, Dick Cassiano, Harold Stebbins, and Marshall Goldberg, which at the time was considered to be the best backfield in history by some, including Don Miller, a member of The Four Horsemen of Notre Dame.[19]

After years of struggling with the university for sustained financial support, Sutherland resigned in 1938 because the school's Chancellor, John Gabbert Bowman, instituted a policy of de-emphasis for the football program, eliminating athletic scholarships, student athlete stipends, and the recruiting funds. Bowman's moves, which resulted in Sutherland's departure, were controversial among students and supporters of the football program.[20]

As of 2009, his career coaching record of 144–28–14 in 20 seasons at the collegiate level, an .812 winning percentage, is the 25th best winning percentage in all divisions of college football[21] and 11th best among coaches from the top division,[22] currently known as the Division I FBS. His .812 winning percentage is also the 5th best such mark during the first 20 years of any coaches' career.[23] He is also tied for the 23rd fewest games to reach 100 victories, accomplished in his 132nd game as coach.[24]

Professional football and military service

[edit]

Sutherland later coached in the National Football League with the Brooklyn Dodgers for two seasons, 1940–41, before leaving the team to serve the United States during World War II.[25]

During the war, Sutherland served in the United States Navy and achieved the rank of Lieutenant commander.[26]

Upon returning to the United States, Sutherland landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was head coach and team vice president.[26] He led the Steelers to their first playoff appearance in 1947.

Sudden illness and death

[edit]

While on a scouting trip for the Steelers in April 1948, Sutherland was found in his car in Bandana, Kentucky, where he was experiencing confusion and was then taken to a hospital in Cairo, Illinois, where he was initially diagnosed with "nervous exhaustion".[26][27] He was flown back to Pittsburgh for further treatment. An exploratory surgery was required to determine whether he was suffering from a hemorrhage or a tumor.[26] Sutherland died in Pittsburgh on April 11, 1948, following surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor.[28] He is interred in Pittsburgh's Homewood Cemetery.

Honors

[edit]
Sutherland running a practice at Pitt in 1935

Sutherland was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 as a coach. He is memorialized on the Pitt campus with a street, Sutherland Drive, and the student residence Sutherland Hall.

Head coaching record

[edit]

College

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs AP#
Lafayette (Independent) (1919–1923)
1919 Lafayette 6–2
1920 Lafayette 5–3
1921 Lafayette 9–0
1922 Lafayette 7–2
1923 Lafayette 6–1–2
Lafayette: 33–8–2
Pittsburgh Panthers (Independent) (1924–1938)
1924 Pittsburgh 5–3–1
1925 Pittsburgh 8–1
1926 Pittsburgh 5–2–2
1927 Pittsburgh 8–1–1 L Rose
1928 Pittsburgh 6–2–1
1929 Pittsburgh 9–1 L Rose
1930 Pittsburgh 6–2–1
1931 Pittsburgh 8–1
1932 Pittsburgh 8–1–2 L Rose
1933 Pittsburgh 8–1
1934 Pittsburgh 8–1
1935 Pittsburgh 7–1–2
1936 Pittsburgh 8–1–1 W Rose 3
1937 Pittsburgh 9–0–1 1
1938 Pittsburgh 8–2 8
Pittsburgh: 111–20–12
Total: 144–28–14
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

[29]

*The Pittsburgh Panthers claim a share of the 1934 national championship per a 1970 Sports Illustrated study on national championships that the school has used since its publication as the basis of its claims.[30] However, this championship is not included in the Official NCAA Records Book's list of national champions.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jock Sutherland

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
John Bain "Jock" Sutherland (March 21, 1889 – April 11, 1948) was a Scottish-born American college and professional football coach renowned for his innovative use of the and his success in building dominant teams at the . Born in , , Sutherland immigrated to the and played football as a guard for the Panthers, graduating in 1917 before serving in the U.S. Navy during . He began his coaching career at from 1919 to 1923, where his teams achieved a 33–8–2 record, including an undefeated 9–0 season in 1921 that featured a 274–26 scoring margin and victories over rivals like Lehigh and . Sutherland then led the from 1924 to 1938, compiling an impressive 111–20–12 record, producing 24 All-Americans, and securing multiple national championships according to various selectors (including 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, and 1937). Under his guidance, Pitt had four unbeaten seasons, made four Rose Bowl appearances (winning 21–0 against Washington in 1937), and declined a fifth invitation in 1937 after an undefeated regular season. After resigning from Pitt in 1939 amid administrative disputes, Sutherland coached in the National Football League, first with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940–1941 (15–7–0 record) and then with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1946–1947 following World War II service in the Navy, where his teams posted a combined 13–9–1 mark and reached the 1947 NFL Eastern Division playoff. Overall, Sutherland's 20-year college coaching tenure yielded a 144–28–14 record, while his four NFL seasons resulted in 28–16–1, and he was posthumously inducted into the in 1951 as well as the halls of fame at both and Lafayette. Known for his dour personality, meticulous preparation, and emphasis on , Sutherland died of a in at age 59, leaving a legacy as one of the era's premier innovators in football strategy.

Early Life and Education

Birth and Family Background

John Bain Sutherland was born in 1889 in , , into a family facing significant economic challenges. Growing up in desperate during his early years, Sutherland experienced hardships that instilled a profound sense of resilience and , traits that would define his later life and career. These formative experiences in , marked by limited resources and the rigors of a working-class existence, contributed to his development of a tough, unyielding . At the age of 18, Sutherland emigrated to the , seeking better prospects amid the industrial opportunities of . This move marked a pivotal shift, transplanting his Scottish roots to American soil and exposing him to a new environment that further honed his character through adaptation and perseverance. The of his childhood lingered as an influence, fostering a self-reliant mindset that emphasized toughness and determination in the face of adversity. Throughout his life, Sutherland remained unmarried, maintaining a personal life as reserved as his public persona. He embodied the dour and stoic traits often associated with his Scottish heritage—self-contained, aloof, and demanding—qualities that manifested in a glacial reserve which took years for others to penetrate. This conservative demeanor, rooted in his early struggles, shaped him into a figure of quiet intensity, sensitive yet unexpressive, whose inner strength was forged in the unyielding circumstances of his youth.

Schooling and Early Athletics

John Bain Sutherland, known as Jock, immigrated from to in 1907 at the age of 18. Upon arrival, Sutherland supported himself through manual labor, including a position at , while pursuing preparatory education via night classes at the YMCA to build his academic foundation. He later attended Oberlin Academy in , a preparatory school that equipped him for university-level studies, where he also took on jobs such as waiting tables and shoveling snow to fund his education. Sutherland's early exposure to organized sports came through soccer in , where he developed his athleticism during his youth. In the United States, prior to , he had no involvement in and focused instead on physical conditioning through demanding work that honed his robust build, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing around 190 pounds. His strong academic performance in preparatory studies, combined with his determination, led to his admission to the University of Pittsburgh's School of Dentistry in 1914, where he would first encounter and excel in American football.

Playing Career

High School Achievements

Sutherland attended Oberlin Academy, a preparatory school in Oberlin, Ohio, after immigrating to the United States and working in Pittsburgh.

College Football at Pittsburgh

John Bain "Jock" Sutherland enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Dentistry in 1914, embarking on a path that intertwined demanding dental studies with elite-level athletics. His preparatory schooling at Oberlin Academy provided a strong foundation for collegiate competition. Sutherland joined the Pittsburgh Panthers football team as a freshman and played guard from 1914 to 1917, starting under coach Joseph B. Duff in 1914 and then under coach Glenn "Pop" Warner from 1915 to 1917, quickly establishing himself as a starter after his debut season. Over these four years, the Panthers achieved a 34–1 record, suffering their only defeat in 1914 before going undefeated in 1915, 1916, and 1917. He played a key role on the 1915 and 1916 teams, which Pitt claims as , and the undefeated 1917 squad that continued the program's dominance. As a 6-foot-1, 200-pound lineman, Sutherland anchored both the offensive and defensive lines, contributing to a defense that allowed just 31 points across the 1917 season. In his senior year of 1917, Sutherland earned consensus All-American honors as a guard, selected to first-team lists by the International News Service and other prominent selectors for his exceptional blocking and tackling prowess. His performance helped Pitt outscore opponents 260–31 that season, underscoring his impact on one of college football's most formidable units. Beyond football, Sutherland's athletic versatility shone in , where he set Penn Relays records in the discus and hammer throw while winning the IC4A shot put title, further highlighting his physical conditioning amid academic demands. Sutherland graduated from Pitt's School of Dentistry in 1917, having successfully balanced his professional training with a football career that cemented his legacy as one of the program's all-time greats and earned him induction into the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame as a player.

College Coaching Career

Lafayette College Tenure

Following his discharge from the United States Army after serving in World War I, John Bain "Jock" Sutherland accepted the head coaching position at Lafayette College in 1919, shortly after briefly establishing a dental practice in Duquesne, Pennsylvania. Sutherland's tenure at Lafayette spanned five seasons from 1919 to 1923, during which he compiled an overall record of 33–8–2 and achieved winning records in each year. His teams demonstrated consistent success, outscoring opponents by a significant margin and establishing Lafayette as a competitive force in Eastern collegiate football. The pinnacle of Sutherland's Lafayette career came in 1921, when his team finished undefeated at 9–0 and claimed the Eastern Collegiate Championship. The 1921 team is considered a national champion by some retroactive selectors. Key victories that season included a 6–0 shutout of , 38–6 over Penn, and 28–6 at Lehigh, highlighting the team's defensive prowess and ability to perform under pressure. Sutherland introduced rigorous and disciplined training regimens at Lafayette, adapted from his own playing experience under at the , which emphasized fundamentals such as hard blocking, tackling, and physical conditioning through authoritarian drills and routines. This approach from his Pitt days fostered a tough, structured team environment that contributed to the program's early successes.

University of Pittsburgh Era

John Bain "Jock" Sutherland was appointed head football coach at the in 1924, succeeding Glenn "Pop" Warner, who had departed for . His prior success at , where he had built a strong program, positioned him as the natural choice to continue Pitt's tradition of excellence. Over the next 15 seasons, until his resignation in 1938, Sutherland transformed the Panthers into a dominant force in . Sutherland's teams at Pitt achieved an outstanding record of 111 wins, 20 losses, and 12 ties, never suffering a losing season and going undefeated four times. They secured seven Eastern Conference titles, reflecting their consistent supremacy in regional play during an era when Pitt competed as an independent but was recognized as a leader among Eastern teams. Sutherland's emphasis on a powerful single-wing offense and rigorous defense resulted in 79 shutouts, underscoring the Panthers' defensive prowess and ability to control games. The era was highlighted by four Rose Bowl appearances, showcasing Pitt's national prominence: in 1928 (for the 1927 season) against Stanford, resulting in a narrow 7-6 loss; in 1930 (for the 1929 season) against USC, a 47-14 defeat; in 1933 (for the 1932 season) against USC, a 35-0 loss; and in 1937 (for the 1936 season) against Washington, a decisive 21-0 that capped an 8-1-1 campaign. Contemporary selectors recognized five of Sutherland's Pitt teams as : 1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, and 1937, affirming his status as one of the era's premier coaches.

Later Career

Military Service in World War II

Sutherland's distinguished pre-war career as a successful coach at the positioned him for valuable contributions to the in athletic training and personnel development. In 1941, at the age of 53, Sutherland sought to enlist in the U.S. Naval Reserve but faced initial rejections due to his age and eyesight; after addressing his vision through corrective measures and securing an age waiver, he was commissioned as a on July 11, 1942. His service extended from 1942 to 1946, during which he was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel's Training Division, leveraging his expertise in coaching and education to support naval personnel programs. Sutherland's duties included establishing Naval Rest Centers across the United States to provide essential rest, recreation, and recovery facilities for sailors amid the demands of wartime service, enhancing morale and physical readiness through organized athletic and fitness activities. Although he did not receive further promotions beyond lieutenant commander, his role emphasized physical fitness initiatives for recruits and personnel, drawing directly on his background in building disciplined athletic teams. In early 1946, following the cessation of hostilities, he was briefly recalled to coach an all-star military football team at the Pacific Sports Carnival in Tokyo, Japan, before receiving an honorable discharge later that year and resuming civilian life.

Professional Football Coaching

Sutherland transitioned to professional football in 1940, becoming of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the (). In his first season, the Dodgers achieved an 8–3 record, finishing second in the Eastern Division just one game behind the Washington Redskins. The following year, , they posted a 7–4 mark, again securing second place in the East while fullback Pug Manders led the league in rushing with 486 yards. Sutherland implemented a rigorous conditioning program and his preferred single-wing offense, exerting authoritarian control over the team to instill discipline. However, the Dodgers did not qualify for the postseason in either year. Sutherland left the Dodgers after the 1941 season to serve in the U.S. during , where he held the rank of . Following his discharge in 1946, he returned to professional coaching as of the . In his debut season with Pittsburgh, the Steelers improved to a 5–5–1 record, placing third in the Eastern Division—a step up from their 2–8 finish the prior year. Under Sutherland's guidance in 1947, the Steelers compiled an 8–4 record, tying the Philadelphia Eagles for the Eastern Division title and earning the franchise's first playoff appearance. This success came through a balanced attack featuring quarterback Stuart Tweedy and other key players. In the ensuing division tiebreaker game on December 21, 1947, at Forbes Field, the Steelers fell 21–0 to the Eagles, ending their postseason run. The Eagles advanced to the NFL Championship but lost to the Chicago Cardinals. Sutherland's professional tenure highlighted challenges in adapting his college-honed single-wing system and strict disciplinary approach to the more independent-minded professional players, who often resisted his intense scrimmaging and power-running emphasis amid the league's shift toward the T-formation. Over four seasons with and , he amassed a 28–16–1 record.

Death and Legacy

Illness and Passing

In early 1948, while on a scouting trip in , Jock Sutherland began suffering from severe headaches and suddenly disappeared for 11 days, later found disoriented and wandering along a road near Bandanna. Initially diagnosed with nervous exhaustion by physicians in , he was flown back to for further evaluation, where tests confirmed a malignant . This came shortly after guiding the to their first playoff berth in , marking a professional high point. Sutherland underwent exploratory surgery at West Penn Hospital in , which revealed two inoperable brain tumors. He never regained consciousness following the procedure and died from surgical complications on April 11, 1948, at the age of 59. His funeral services were held at Calvary Episcopal Church in 's East Liberty neighborhood, drawing over 3,200 mourners to the funeral home and several hundred to the church. Sutherland was buried on April 13, 1948, in , , with pallbearers consisting of eight players from his 1947 Steelers team and a Highland piper performing a final .

Honors and Recognition

Sutherland was inducted into the in 1951, recognizing his innovative coaching and remarkable success at and the . In 1988, he was honored with induction into the Lafayette College Athletics Hall of Fame for his tenure as head football coach from 1919 to 1923, during which his teams achieved consistent winning records. The posthumously inducted Sutherland into its inaugural Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame class in 2018, celebrating his 15-year leadership that transformed the Panthers into a national powerhouse. His enduring impact is further commemorated on the Pitt campus through the naming of Sutherland Drive and Jock Sutherland Hall, a student housing facility, in tribute to his contributions to the university's athletic legacy. Contemporary assessments rank Sutherland among the greatest coaches, with his career of .812 underscoring his efficiency and dominance over two decades.

Coaching Philosophy

Offensive Innovations

Jock Sutherland was renowned as the preeminent technician of the , refining it into a dominant offensive scheme that emphasized power and precision during his coaching tenures at and the . He enhanced the formation's effectiveness by incorporating an , which allowed for double-team blocks and trap plays that overwhelmed defenses, particularly through tailback runs off-tackle and between the tackles. This approach transformed the single-wing from a standard setup into a relentless ground-attack machine, prioritizing hard blocking and direct snaps to the tailback for maximum deception and momentum. Sutherland staunchly criticized excessive reliance on the forward pass, viewing it as less reliable than controlled ground play, and his teams often completed games without attempting a single aerial throw. He favored a of "knocking a man down rather than throwing a pass over him," focusing instead on through misdirection and quick-hitting runs that maintained possession and wore down opponents. This ground-centric strategy aligned with his belief in fundamentals, where the single-wing's versatility enabled plays like sweeps and dives without compromising the formation's core power elements. At , Sutherland adapted the single-wing for high-stakes matchups, including Rose Bowl appearances, where variations such as triple-option elements—allowing the tailback to run, hand off, or pitch—added layers of unpredictability while preserving the unbalanced line's blocking advantages. In the 1937 Rose Bowl against Washington, his Panthers executed this refined scheme to secure a 21-0 , shutting out the Huskies through dominant tailback-driven runs. These tactical evolutions, first tested during his Lafayette years, contributed to Pitt's undefeated 1937 season and . Sutherland's mastery of the single-wing influenced a generation of coaches in the and , when the formation powered multiple national championships, including those by under and his own Pitt teams in 1931 and 1937. His protégé, Johnny Michelosen, perpetuated the scheme at into the early 1950s, while Sutherland's success demonstrated the single-wing's viability for title contention, delaying the widespread adoption of modern formations like the T.

Training and Discipline Approach

Jock Sutherland's training regimen at the emphasized rigorous physical conditioning to build endurance and toughness among players drawn from the region's industrial backgrounds. Practices often took place on the hilltop field at Pitt, where squads engaged in intense drills including , tackling, blocking, and hitting the tackling sled to simulate game contact. Early sessions focused on conditioning to ensure players reported in peak form, with Sutherland pushing for repetitive execution of fundamentals like hard blocking and tackling to foster precise performance under fatigue. This approach complemented the demanding single-wing offense by preparing players for sustained physical battles. Sutherland enforced strict discipline, demanding unwavering respect for coaches and maximum effort on the field, which implicitly included prohibitions on smoking and drinking to maintain focus and readiness. His authoritarian style cultivated , transforming raw recruits from mining and mill towns into cohesive, resilient units capable of enduring grueling seasons. At , he similarly instilled discipline, rapidly improving team performance through repetitive drills and a no-nonsense environment that prioritized accountability. In the and , Sutherland pioneered early practices, conducting annual trips to evaluate opponents and talent, which served as precursors to modern . He supplemented this with sessions and on-field walkthroughs to break down strategies, enhancing team preparation without relying on rah-rah . Known as the "Silent Scot" or "dour Scotsman," Sutherland inspired deep loyalty through his stoic example and glacial aloofness, earning respect that motivated players to perform at their best rather than through emotional appeals. This reserved demeanor, combined with his commitment to players' long-term success, fostered a culture of dedication that defined his teams across institutions.

Head Coaching Record

College Statistics

Jock Sutherland's college coaching career spanned 20 seasons, compiling an overall record of 144–28–14 at and the , achieving a of .812 that underscored his status as one of the era's premier coaches. At Lafayette from 1919 to 1923, he posted a 33–8–2 mark, including an undefeated 9–0 campaign in 1921. His tenure at from 1924 to 1938 yielded 111–20–12, with the Panthers claiming five national championships (1929, 1931, 1934, 1936, and 1937) during this period and making four Rose Bowl appearances. The following table summarizes Sutherland's year-by-year records at both institutions, including wins, losses, ties, and notable outcomes such as bowl games and national title claims. competed as an independent during Sutherland's era, frequently earning informal recognition as Eastern champions, while Lafayette also operated independently with no formal conference affiliations.

(1919–1923)

YearWinsLossesTiesNotes
1919620
1920530
1921900Undefeated season
1922720
1923612
Total3382

University of Pittsburgh (1924–1938)

YearWinsLossesTiesNotes
1924531
1925810
1926522
1927811Rose Bowl loss to Stanford (7–6)
1928621
1929910; Rose Bowl loss to USC (47–14)
1930621
1931810
1932812Rose Bowl loss to USC (35–0)
1933810
1934810
1935712
1936811; Rose Bowl win over Washington (21–0)
1937901Undefeated season;
1938820
Total11120124 Rose Bowl appearances (1–3 record)
Sutherland's 1937 Pittsburgh team stands out as particularly notable, finishing undefeated at 9–0–1, shutting out six opponents, and earning national championship recognition after outscoring foes 203–34. This .812 winning percentage across his college career tied directly to his enshrinement in the in 1951.

Professional Statistics

Jock Sutherland's professional football coaching career in the National Football League (NFL) spanned two teams: the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1940 to 1941 and the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1946 to 1947, following his return from military service during World War II. With the Brooklyn Dodgers, Sutherland compiled a regular-season record of 15–7–0 over two seasons. In 1940, the team finished 8–3–0 and placed second in the NFL Eastern Division. The following year, 1941, they went 7–4–0, again securing second place in the division. Sutherland then coached the for two seasons, achieving a regular-season record of 13–9–1. In 1946, the Steelers recorded 5–5–1 and finished third in the Eastern Division. The 1947 season marked a high point, with an 8–4–0 regular-season mark that tied for first in the division; however, they lost the divisional tiebreaker playoff game to the , 21–0, resulting in a postseason record of 0–1. That year, the Steelers scored 240 points (20.0 per game, ranking 7th league-wide) while allowing 259 points (21.6 per game). Across his NFL tenure, Sutherland's teams posted a regular-season record of 28–16–1 (.636 winning percentage), with an overall mark including of 28–17–1 (.622). His squads never qualified for the NFL Championship Game.
YearTeamRegular SeasonFinishPlayoffs
19408–3–02nd (Eastern)—
19417–4–02nd (Eastern)—
19465–5–13rd (Eastern)—
19478–4–0Tied 1st (Eastern)Lost tiebreaker (0–1)

References

  1. https://documenting.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt:US-PPiU-ua912
  2. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/jock-sutherland/1492
  3. https://www.profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/13-04-431.pdf
  4. https://goleopards.com/honors/hall-of-fame/john-jock-sutherland/138
  5. https://pro-football-history.com/coach/406/jock-sutherland-bio
  6. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/honors/pitt-athletics-hall-of-fame/john-bain-jock-sutherland/16
  7. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jock-Sutherland
  8. https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt:US-PPiU-ua912
  9. https://profootballarchives.com/coaches/suth00600.html
  10. https://profootballarchives.com/players/s/suth00600.html
  11. https://library.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/publications/football/yearbooks/FPITSMG-1946-pittsburgh-steelers-media-guide.pdf
  12. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/pittsburgh/index.html
  13. https://americanfootballdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/1917_College_Football_All-America_Team
  14. https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt:FTBL19.UA
  15. https://goleopards.com/honors/hall-of-fame/football-team-1921/156
  16. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/lafayette/1921-schedule.html
  17. https://www.225.pitt.edu/story/jock-sutherland-never-losing-season
  18. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jock-sutherland-1.html
  19. https://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/13-04-431.pdf
  20. https://steelersdepot.com/2021/04/perspective-of-an-average-steelers-fan-jock-sutherland-man-of-mystery/
  21. https://profootballresearchers.com/coffin-corner70s/01-09-016.pdf
  22. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/bkn/1941.htm
  23. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194712210pit.htm
  24. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/SuthJo0.htm
  25. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/joe-starkey/2018/10/25/joe-starkey-a-pitt-legend-forgotten-no-more/stories/201810250221
  26. https://www.nytimes.com/1948/04/12/archives/jock-sutherland-steeler-coach-dies-in-hospital-at-pittsburgh-brain.html
  27. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4225/john-bain-sutherland
  28. https://pittsburghpanthers.com/honors/pitt-athletics-hall-of-fame
  29. https://www.tiptop25.com/topcoaches_winpercent.html
  30. https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/jock-sutherland-1951/
  31. https://www.americanfootballmonthly.com/Subaccess/articles.php?article_id=3947&output=article
  32. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1000509658/
  33. https://www.225.pitt.edu/story/pitt-football-nine-titles
  34. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1947.htm
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.