The Detroit Titans were the college football team which represented the University of Detroit (now University of Detroit Mercy) from 1896 to 1964. The team posted an undefeated season in 1928, staking a claim to a national title. The program was terminated in 1964 for financial reasons.
History
Under head coach Gus Dorais in 1928, the Titans won all nine of their games. Several years later Parke H. Davis, considered to be a "major selector" by the NCAA, named the 1928 team to a share of the national championship.
From 1922 on, the Titans played their home games at University of Detroit Stadium (also known as U of D Stadium, Titan Stadium, and Dinan Field) near McNichols Road (Six Mile Road) and Fairfield Street on the university's McNichols campus.
The football program had incurred large losses since 1951, and was discontinued after the 1964 season. At the time of the sport's termination, university president Rev. Laurence V. Britt stated that the institution "does not currently have and does not foresee any prospects of its having the substantial funds" required to continue the program.
Conference affiliations Detroit was both independent and affiliated with the Missouri Valley Conference. Unknown (1896–) Independent (−1947) Missouri Valley Conference (1948–1956) Independent (1957–1964)
Championships National championships Detroit won its only national championship in 1928, with Parke H. Davis selecting both Detroit and Georgia Tech. The school claims this championship.
1928 Parke H. Davis Gus Dorais 9–0
Head coaches
Head CoachYearsSeasonsRecordPct.William S. Robinson1896–1899413–5–1.700John C. Mackey1900–190126–6–0.500Edward J. Ryan1902, 190627–5–1.577Alfred W. Debo1903–190426–6–0.500George A. Kelly1907, 1909–191037–5–2.571Royal R. Campbell1911–191228–6–1.567George M. Lawton1913–191426–6–3.500Harry Costello1915–191624–7–2.385James F. Duffy1917, 1919–1922, 1924643–12–1.777Germany Schulz192314–3–2.556Gus Dorais1925–194218113–48–7.693Chuck Baer1945–1950635–21–1.623Dutch Clark1951–1953313–17–0.433Wally Fromhart1954–1958519–25–2.435Jim Miller1959–1961318–10–0.643John Idzik1962–196436–21–1.232
Notable personnel Name Position Years Notes Grady AldermanLineman 1950sPlayed in NFL, 1960–1974 Sig AndruskingGuard 1930sPlayed in NFL in 1937 Vince BanonisCenter 1939–1941Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame Dan BoistureEnd 1947–1948Head coach at Eastern Michigan, 1967–1973 Lloyd BrazilHalfback 1927–1929 All-American; inducted into Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Walt CassidyEnd 1920sPlayed in NFL, 1924 Walt ClagoEnd Played in NFL, 1921–1922 Bill DandoHalfback 1956–1968Head coach at Buffalo, 1977–1979 Andy FarkasFullback 1930sPlayed for Washington Redskins, 1938–1944 Norm HarveyTackle 1920sPlayed in NFL, 1925–1929 Harvey LongLineman 1920sPlayed in NFL, 1929–1930 Elmer MadarikHalfback 1940s Played for Detroit Lions 1945–1948 Ted MarchibrodaQuarterback 1950s Played and coached in the NFL for over 40 years, 1953–1998 John P. MetrasCenter 1930s Inducted into Canadian Football Hall of Fame as a coach Doug NottHalfback 1930s Played for Detroit Lions in 1935 Bill O'NeillHalfback 1930s Played for Detroit Lions in 1935 and Cleveland Rams in 1937 Lee RileyDefensive back 1950s Played in NFL and AFL, 1955–1962 Sod RyanTackle 1920sPlayed in NFL from 1929 to 1930 Jim ShorterDefensive back 1960s Played in NFL, 1948–1956 Jack SimmonsLineman 1940s Played in NFL, 1962–1969 Steve StonebreakerLinebacker 1960s Played in NFL, 1962–1968 Tillie VossEnd 1920s Played in NFL, 1921–1929
Players in the NFL draft
References
External links University of Detroit Football Collection