Detroit Titans football
First season1896
Last season1964, 60 years ago
StadiumUniversity of Detroit Stadium
(capacity: 20,000)
LocationDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
All-time record30820424 (.597)
Claimed national titles1 (1928)
ColorsRed, white, and blue[1]
     

The Detroit Titans were the college football team which represented the University of Detroit (now University of Detroit Mercy) from 1896 to 1964. Under head coach Gus Dorais in 1928, the Titans won all nine of their games. Several years later Parke H. Davis, considered to be a "major selector" by the NCAA, named the 1928 team to a share of the national championship.[2]

From 1922 on, the Titans played their home games at University of Detroit Stadium (also known as U of D Stadium, Titan Stadium, and Dinan Field) near McNichols Road (Six Mile Road) and Fairfield Street on the university's McNichols campus. The football program had incurred large losses since 1951, and was discontinued after the 1964 season.[3][4] University president Rev. Laurence V. Britt stated that the institution "does not currently have and does not foresee any prospects of its having the substantial funds" required to continue the program.[5]

Conference affiliations

Detroit was both independent and affiliated with the Missouri Valley Conference.[6]

Championships

National championships

Detroit won its only national championship in 1928, with Parke H. Davis selecting both Detroit and Georgia Tech.[7] The school claims this championship.[8][9]

Year Selectors Coach Record
1928Parke H. DavisGus Dorais9–0

Head coaches

Head Coach Years Seasons Record Pct.
William S. Robinson 18961899 4 1351 .700
John C. Mackey 19001901 2 660 .500
Edward J. Ryan 1902, 1906 2 751 .577
Alfred W. Debo 19031904 2 660 .500
George A. Kelly 1907, 19091910 3 752 .571
Royal R. Campbell 19111912 2 861 .567
George M. Lawton 19131914 2 663 .500
Harry Costello 19151916 2 472 .385
James F. Duffy 1917, 19191922, 1924 6 43121 .777
Germany Schulz 1923 1 432 .556
Gus Dorais 19251942 18 113487 .693
Chuck Baer 19451950 6 35211 .623
Dutch Clark 19511953 3 13170 .433
Wally Fromhart 19541958 5 19252 .435
Jim Miller 19591961 3 18100 .643
John Idzik 19621964 3 6211 .232

Notable personnel

NamePositionYearsNotes
Grady Alderman Lineman1950sPlayed in NFL, 1960-1974
Sig Andrusking Guard1930sPlayed in NFL in 1937
Vince Banonis Center1939-1941Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame
Dan Boisture End1947-1948Head coach at Eastern Michigan, 1967-1973
Lloyd Brazil Halfback1927-1929All-American; inducted into Michigan Sports Hall of Fame
Walt Cassidy End1920sPlayed in NFL, 1924
Walt Clago EndPlayed in NFL, 1921-1922
Bill Dando Halfback1956-1968Head coach at Buffalo, 1977-1979
Andy Farkas Fullback1930sPlayed for Washington Redskins, 1938-1944
Norm Harvey Tackle1920sPlayed in NFL, 1925-1929
Harvey Long Lineman1920sPlayed in NFL, 1929-1930
Elmer Madarik Halfback1940sPlayed for Detroit Lions 1945-1948
Ted Marchibroda Quarterback1950sPlayed and coached in the NFL for over 40 years, 1953-1998
Doug Nott Halfback1930sPlayed for Detroit Lions in 1935
Bill O'Neill Halfback1930sPlayed for Detroit Lions in 1935 and Cleveland Rams in 1937
Lee Riley Defensive back1950sPlayed in NFL and AFL, 1955-1962
Sod Ryan Tackle1920sPlayed in NFL from 1929 to 1930
Jim Shorter Defensive back1960sPlayed in NFL, 1948-1956
Jack Simmons Lineman1940sPlayed in NFL, 1962-1969
Steve Stonebreaker Linebacker1960sPlayed in NFL, 1962-1968
Tillie Voss End1920sPlayed in NFL, 1921-1929

Players in the NFL Draft

References

  1. "University of Detroit Mercy Brand Standards Guide" (PDF). September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
  2. 2011 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). Indianapolis, IN: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2011. pp. 70–75. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  3. "Students yip as Detroit drops grid". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 1, 1964. p. 10.
  4. "Detroit kicks out football, students stage big protest". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. December 1, 1964. p. 41.
  5. Berry, Jack (1964-12-01). "U-D Football Finally Dies of Neglect". The Detroit Free Press. p. 1-D.
  6. "Detroit Mercy Titans Football Record By Year". College Football at Sports-Reference.com.
  7. 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2018. p. 111. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  8. "2013 Will Be A Season To Remember In Motown". University of Detroit Mercy Athletics.
  9. "Remembering the 1953 Missouri Valley Conference Champion Detroit Titans". University of Detroit Mercy Athletics.
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