Sport(s) Football 1942–1947 Washington Died September 15, 1974 1927–1929 Purdue Overall 27–20–3 Education Purdue University | 1930–1937 Washington (assistant) Name Ralph Welch Positions Halfback 1939–1941 Washington (assistant) Role American football player | |
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Born January 13, 1907
Sherman, Texas ( 1907-01-13 ) | ||
W. Ralph "Pest" Welch (January 13, 1907 – September 15, 1974) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Washington from 1942 to 1947, compiling a record of 27–20–3. Welch led his 1943 Washington squad to the Rose Bowl, where they lost to USC, 29–0. He played college football at Purdue University as a halfback under head coach James Phelan, whom he followed to Washington as an assistant in 1930.
When Washington athletic director Ray Eckmann removed Phelan, he selected Welch to replace him. Welch became popular with the players and wielded a reputation as a great scout of talent. Eckmann retained Welch on a year-to-year basis with an initial $9,000 per season salary, matching Phelan's final salary.