Sport(s) Football 1936–1943 Davidson 1932–1935 Davidson (assistant) Role American football player | 1931 Tennessee Name Gene McEver 1928–1929 Tennessee 1944 North Carolina Positions Halfback | |
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Born September 15, 1908
Birmingham, Alabama ( 1908-09-15 ) Died July 12, 1985, Davidson, North Carolina, United States | ||
Education University of Tennessee | ||
Eugene T. "Gene" McEver (September 15, 1908 – July 12, 1985) was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Tennessee, where he was an All-American halfback. McEver served as the head football coach at Davidson College from 1936 to 1943 and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1944, compiling a career record of 22–54–5. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1954.
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Playing career
McEver attended high school in Bristol, Virginia. He was the first ever All-American for the Tennessee Volunteers football team. He played for the Volunteers in 1928, 1929, and 1931 under Robert Neyland, missing the 1930 season with a knee injury. McEver scored 130 points for the Vols in 1929, helping them to a 9–0–1 record. The total led the NCAA in scoring that season, and his mark still stands at the single season scoring record at Tennessee. In December 2008, Sports Illustrated undertook to identify the individuals who would have been awarded the Heisman Trophy in college football's early years, before the trophy was established. McEver was selected as the would-be Heisman winner for the 1929 season. McEver also holds the record for career scoring at Tennessee among non-kickers. McEver finished his career at Tennessee with 44 touchdowns and 12 points after touchdown for 276 points. He was named to the All-Southern team in 1928, 1929, and 1931, joining teammates Bobby Dodd and Herman Hickman. He stood 5'10", weighed 185 pounds, and wore number 28.
Coaching career
McEver coached at Davidson College in North Carolina from 1937 through 1943. His record there was 16–43–4. McEver also coached the University of North Carolina to a 1–7–1 record in 1944. He was an assistant coach at Virginia Tech from 1945 to 1947.