Jack Hennemier
Hennemier during his playing career at Duke
Biographical details
Bornc. 1913
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
DiedNovember 6, 1993 (aged 80)
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
1933–1935Duke
Position(s)Center, guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1948–1954Maryland (DL)
1955–1956Calgary Stampeders
1957–1958Maryland (DL/RC)

John M. Hennemier (c. 1913 – November 6, 1993) was an American gridiron football coach and scout. He served as the head coach for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) for one and a half seasons, and also held assistant coaching positions at several colleges, most notably, the University of Maryland, College Park where he helped Jim Tatum coach the Terrapins to the 1953 national championship. After his brief stint in the CFL, Hennemier worked as a professional football scout. He attended Duke University, where he played college football as a center and was named the team's most valuable player.

Biography

He was born circa 1913[1] in Savannah, Georgia, and attended Savannah High School.[2][3] In 1931, Hennemier enrolled at Duke University where he studied business administration and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.[2][3] He played college football for the Blue Devils under head coach Wallace Wade. Hennemier played as a center and guard, and he was a member of the varsity team from 1933 to 1935.[4] As a senior in 1935, he was named the team's most valuable player.[5] In 1935, he was named to the All-Southern Conference third team.[3] At his heaviest, Hennemier weighed between 150 and 155 pounds,[2] but because of his aggressiveness despite his small size, he was nicknamed "Scrappy Jack".[6] He graduated with the Class of 1936.[3]

In 1948, he joined the coaching staff of Jim Tatum at Maryland, and Hennemier remained there as the "chief defensive coach" through the 1954 season.[6] He served as an assistant coach responsible for the defensive line, and during this time, Maryland won the 1953 national championship.[7] During Hennemier's first tenure at Maryland, the Terrapins compiled a record of 56–12–2, and outscored their opponents by a margin of 1,924 points to 599. Maryland also recorded 21 defensive shutouts.[8][9]

In 1955, Hennemier left Maryland to take the head coaching job with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[10][11] That season, the team posted a 4–12 record to finish last in the Western Division. Hennemier nearly signed Forrest Gregg, a tackle in the National Football League (NFL) who Vince Lombardi called "the finest player [he] ever coached."[11] Hennemier flew to Dallas to meet with Gregg, and over dinner offered him a $7,500 contract with a $500 signing bonus ($81,932 and $5,462, respectively, in inflation-adjusted terms). When the Green Bay Packers, who had also shown him interest, matched the contract and offered to match half of the signing bonus, Gregg agreed to sign with the Packers.[11] In February 1955, the Washington Redskins of the NFL sued Hennemier for $50,000 in damages ($546,211 adjusted for inflation) for an alleged attempt to lure away two of its tackles.[12][13] The clubs agreed to a truce and eschewed "raiding" each other's rosters.[14] Hennemier was fired during the 1956 season,[15] and the Stampeders again finished last in their division.[11]

In 1957, he returned to Maryland to coach the line and handle recruiting duties.[16][17] He held that position through the 1958 season during the tenure of head coach Tommy Mont.[18] His second stint at Maryland was less successful than his earlier one, and the Terrapins compiled a record of 9–11 during those two seasons.[19] Hennemier also held coaching positions at Duke, North Carolina, Washington & Lee, and Savannah High School.[2] and later worked as a professional football scout.[1] He was inducted into the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame in 1970.[20] Hennemier died on November 6, 1993, in Charlotte, North Carolina.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Obituaries, Charlotte Observer, November 7, 1993.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Hennemier, John “Jack” (Football, 1970), Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame, retrieved July 18, 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 The Chanticleer, Duke University yearbook, Class of 1936, p. 71, 1936.
  4. ↑ All-Time Lettermen (PDF), 2008 Duke Football Media Guide, p. 181, 2008.
  5. ↑ Team Honors (PDF), 2008 Duke Football Media Guide, p. 175, 2008.
  6. 1 2 The Terrapin, University of Maryland yearbook, Class of 1955, p. 195, 1955.
  7. ↑ All-Time Postseason Archived 2012-11-12 at the Wayback Machine (PDF), 2001 Maryland Football Media Guide, p. 146, 2001.
  8. ↑ Maryland Yearly Results 1945-1949 Archived 2009-05-16 at the Wayback Machine, College Football Data Warehouse, retrieved July 18, 2009.
  9. ↑ Maryland Yearly Results 1950-1954 Archived 2009-05-16 at the Wayback Machine, College Football Data Warehouse, retrieved July 18, 2009.
  10. ↑ The Terrapin, University of Maryland yearbook, Class of 1956, p. 198, 1956.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Earl McRae, CFL nearly lured Gregg, Ottawa Sun, August 13, 2008.
  12. ↑ Washington Sues Coach Of Calgary Over Two Tackles, The Hartford Courant, February 17, 1955.
  13. ↑ REDSKINS FILE LAW SUIT; Seek Damages From Calgary's Coach on Signing of 2 Men, The Washington Post, February 17, 1955.
  14. ↑ Redskins, Calgary Agree on 'No Raiding' As Hopes Rise for Pro Football 'Peace', The New York Times, February 25, 1955.
  15. ↑ Calgary Stampeders Fire Coach Hennemier, Chicago Tribune, September 20, 1956.
  16. ↑ James Behind Duke Football Success in 1950s and 1960s, Atlantic Coast Conference, retrieved July 18, 2009.
  17. ↑ The Terrapin, University of Maryland yearbook, Class of 1959, p. 251, 1959.
  18. ↑ Year-By-Year Results Archived 2018-10-26 at the Wayback Machine (PDF), 2007 Terrapin Football Record Book, University of Maryland, 2007, retrieved 16 January 2009.
  19. ↑ Maryland Yearly Results 1955-1959 Archived 2009-05-16 at the Wayback Machine, College Football Data Warehouse, retrieved July 18, 2009.
  20. ↑ Thirty-Ninth Awards Banquet Program (PDF), Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame, May 5, 2008, retrieved July 18, 2009.
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