Butch Nash

George "Butch" Addison Nash (December 13, 1915 – July 18, 2005) was an American football collegiate player and coach for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He played for the Golden Gophers from 1935–1938.[1][2][3] During that time, he played the end position.[4][5][6] Nash earned second-team Associated Press All-Big Ten Conference honors for his efforts in his senior 1938 season.[7] He was later an assistant coach for the Golden Gophers from 1947 through 1980 (43 seasons)[8][2] as primarily a defensive ends specialist. He then returned in 1984 as the junior varsity coach.[8] He then worked as a volunteer coach from 1985–1991.[8] He fully retired from coaching after the 1991 season. During his career, he worked under seven head coaches: Bernie Bierman, Wes Fesler, Murray Warmath, Cal Stoll, Joe Salem, Lou Holtz, and John Gutekunst.

Nash's career is highlighted by several key moments including National Football Championships in 1935 and 1936 as a player.[9] As a coach, he earned a National Championship in 1960,[9] a Rose Bowl victory in 1962,[10] and bowl participation in the 1961 Rose Bowl and 1977 Hall of Fame Bowl[10]

Another key highlight is the role he played in the 1977 and 1986 victories over the Michigan Wolverines. He delivered pre-game speeches to the team telling them the importance of the rivalry and the history of the "Little Brown Jug."[11][2][12]

Nash also played basketball for the Golden Gophers and was on the 1936–1937 Big Ten Championship team.[13]

Awards and championships

Role	Year	Award or Championship
End	1935	National Champions[9]
End	1935	Big Ten Champions[14]
End	1936	National Champions [9][2]
End	1937	Big Ten Champions [14]
Guard	1937	Big Ten Champions (Basketball) [13]
End	1938	Big Ten Champions [14]
End	1938	Associated Press All Big Ten 2nd Team [7]
Head Coach	1941	Big Nine Champion (Winona, Minn High School) [3]
Asst. Coach	1960	National Champions [9]
Asst. Coach	1960	Big Ten Champions [14]
Asst. Coach	1962	Rose Bowl Champions [10]

Personal life

Nash was married to Mary Leona "Lee" Nash and had three children. He had five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.[15][16]

Early life

Nash was born in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 13, 1915. He attended Edison High School in Minneapolis and was a standout athlete in Basketball and Football[17].

He died July 18, 2005 at the age of 89 years old.[3]

The Butch Nash Player Award

Since 1984, the Golden Gopher football team awards the Butch Nash award to player(s) that are "competitive on the field and in the classroom."[18] The recipient list is below.

Year	Player	Position
1984	John Kelly	C
1985	Andy Hare	FL
1986	Anthony Burke	OT
1987	Brian Bonner	OLB
1988	Ross Ukkelberg	DT
1989	Dan Liimatta	OT
1990	Frank Jackson	CB
1991	Joel Staats	LB
1992	Russ Heath	LB
1993	Omar Douglas	WR
1994	Justin Conzemius	DB
1995	Justin Conzemius	LB
1996	Cory Sauter	QB
1997	Parc Williams	LB
1998	Parc Williams	LB
1999	Ben Mezera	LB
2000	Ben Hamilton	C
2001	Derek Burns	OG
2002	Dan Kwapinski	DT
2003	Greg Eslinger	C
2004	Mark Setterstrom	OG
2005	Greg Eslinger	C
2006	Dominic Jones	CB
2007	John Shevlin	LB / S
2007	Steve Shidell	OT
2008	Jeff Tow-Arnett	OL
2009	Jon Hoese	FB
2009	Steve Shidell	OT
2010	Ryan Collado	CB / D
2010	D.J. Burris	C
2011	Aaron Hill	LB
2012	Aaron Hill	LB
2013	Jon Christenson	C
2014	Jon Christenson	C
2015	Jon Christenson	OG
2016	Scott Ekpe	DT
2017	Brandon Lingen	TE
2017	Andrew Stelter	DL
2018	Payton Jordahl	DL
2018	Gary Moore	DL
2018	Sam Renner	DL
2019	Sam Renner	DL
2019	Blaise Andries	OL

The Butch Nash High School Assistant Coach Award

The Butch Nash High School Assistant Coach Award given to outstanding Minnesota high school football coaches based on the criteria that they are an active coach, could be coaching at the varsity or lower levels, have a sufficient years of service to their program, along with other criteria mentioned on the Minnesota Football Coaches web site.[19]

References

1. "Hail Butch Nash! He's a Players' Player". The Minneapolis Star. October 11, 1938. p. 17. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
2. Johnson, William Oscar (October 31, 1977). Sports Illustrated. p. 23. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
3. "Former_Assistant_Coach_Nash_Passes_Away_At_Age_89". GopherSports.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
4. "End-play, By-Play". The Minneapolis Star. December 15, 1938. p. 26. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
5. "Nash Went a Long Way on Courage". The Minneapolis Star. November 23, 1938. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
6. "Cardinals Still After Nash:". The Minneapolis Star. August 17, 1939. p. 28. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
7. "Michigan Places 3 Stars on All Big Ten Team". The Independent, St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP story). November 21, 1938. p. 11.
8. Minnesota Football Media Guide (2004 ed.). University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics. p. 329.
9. "Golden Gopher National Champions". GopherSports.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
10. "Bowl History". GopherSports.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
11. "Pioneer Press: shooter-now-35-years-ago-two-words-good-luck-lifted-gophers-past-michigan". TwinCities.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
12. Reusse, Patrick. "Kitzmann's legend born in one 57-carry game in '77". StarTribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
13. "Men's Basketball Big Ten Champs". GopherSports.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
14. "Year-by-Year Records". GopherSports.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
15. "Butch Nash Obituary". StarTribute.com.
16. "Mary Leona Nash Obituary". StarTribute.com.
17. "Pass Grabbing High Spot of Gopher Drills". The Minneapolis Star. September 14, 1938. p. 15. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
18. "Honors and Awards". GopherSports.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
19. "Minnesota Football Coaches Association Butch Nash Award". Minnesota High School Coaches Association. Retrieved 5 June 2019.