William J. Keller (c. 1869 – October 2, 1924) was an American college football player and coach and otolaryngologists. He was the second head football coach at Vanderbilt University, serving for one season, in 1893, compiling a record of 6–1. Keller also played and served as team captain for the Vanderbilt Commodores for both the 1893 and 1894 seasons.[1] Before coming to Vanderbilt, he played at the International Young Men's Christian Association Training School—now known as Springfield College—in Springfield, Massachusetts for Amos Alonzo Stagg.
 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1869 Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | October 2, 1924 Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| c. 1890–1891 | Springfield YMCA |
| 1893–1894 | Vanderbilt |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1893 | Vanderbilt |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 6–1 |
Keller was born in Maryland. He earned a medical degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He first practiced medicine as a generalist in Clio, South Carolina and later specialized in otorhinolaryngology in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He died on October 2, 1924, at his home in Spartanburg.[2]
Head coaching record
edit| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt Commodores (Independent) (1893) | |||||||||
| 1893 | Vanderbilt | 6–1 | |||||||
| Vanderbilt: | 6–1 | ||||||||
| Total: | 6–1 | ||||||||
References
edit- ^ "2012 Vanderbilt Football fact book". p. 118. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ "William J. Keller Suddenly Dies". The State. Columbia, South Carolina. October 6, 1924. p. 2. Retrieved July 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com
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