| No. 1 | |
|---|---|
| Positions | Quarterback,defensive back |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1915-02-01)February 1, 1915 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | January 25, 1990(1990-01-25) (aged 74) |
| Listed height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Notre Dame |
| Career history | |
| 1943 | Chicago Cardinals |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
Andrew Joseph Puplis (February 1, 1915 – January 25, 1990) was an Americanfootball player and coach.
As aquarterback at Harrison Tech High School, Puplis twice received all-state honors, and won a Chicago city championship, compiling a 12–0 record in 1931.[1] AtNotre Dame, he joined the football team as both a kicker and a kick and punt returner. In 1936, he became the starting quarterback but still led the team in kickoff returns with 5 for 136 yards. In his senior year in 1937, he earnedAll-American honors as he led the Irish in scoring and averaged 12.4 yards per play.[2] In 1938, Puplis was the starting quarterback for the College All Stars team that defeated the Washington Redskins, 28–16. He had also received monograms for playing on the baseball team, and received an offer from theCleveland Indians.
After college, Puplis was hired as the head football coach atCrystal Lake High School before moving on toProviso East High School inMaywood, Illinois, in 1940, where he would remain until his retirement in 1972, except for a hiatus in the Navy during World War II,[3] and one year as adefensive back for theChicago Cardinals in 1943.[4] (4) During his tenure at Proviso East he would coach eventualNFL stars such asRay Nitschke andEd O'Bradovich as well as Eagles defensive coordinatorJim Johnson,[5] and would compile a record of 128-84-12, including three undefeated seasons[6] and six conference titles.
In 1981, Puplis was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association.[7]