Puggy Hunton

John W. "Puggy" Hunton (August 28, 1902 – October 3, 1967) was the final head coach of the Gonzaga University Bulldogs football team, leading their final three seasons, from 1939 to 1941. Prior to his tenure with the Bulldogs he was a high school coach at Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane and Cogswell High School of San Francisco.

Puggy Hunton
Biographical details
Born(1902-08-28)August 28, 1902
Porum, Oklahoma
DiedOctober 3, 1967(1967-10-03) (aged 65)
Spokane, Washington
Alma materGonzaga University, 1927
Playing career
1925–1926Gonzaga
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1927–1928Cogswell HS (CA)
1929–1938Gonzaga Prep (WA)
1939–1941Gonzaga
Head coaching record
Overall14–13–1 (college)
74–10 (high school)

Early life

Born in Porum, Oklahoma,[1][2] Hunton played collegiately at Gonzaga and graduated in June 1927.[3] After he graduated, Hunton served as head coach for the football squad at Cogswell High School of San Francisco prior to accepting the head coaching position at the Gonzaga Preparatory School in 1928.[3] During his ten-year tenure at Gonzaga Prep, he led them to seven city championships and five undefeated seasons en route to an overall record of 74 wins and ten losses (.881).[4]

Gonzaga

On March 5, 1939, Hunton was introduced as Gonzaga's head football coach as a replacement for fellow alumnus Mike Pecarovich,[1][5] who left for Loyola in Los Angeles. In his first season, Hunton led the Bulldogs to an upset over Oregon at Hayward Field.[6] For his efforts in the upset, Hunton was named coach of the week by various selectors.[2] During his three-year tenure at Gonzaga University, Hunton had an overall record of fourteen wins, thirteen losses and one tie (14–13–1).[7]

Gonzaga fielded its last varsity football team 79 years ago in 1941.[8][9] Like many colleges, the football program went on hiatus during World War II (in April 1942),[10][11] but after the war the administration decided not to resume it. The program had been in financial difficulty prior to the war.[12][13][14]

After Hunton was hired from Gonzaga Prep in 1939, he earned substantially less than his predecessor.[15][16] In late August 1940, he signed a three-year contract, retroactive to July 1,[17] at $2,500 per year.[18][19] When the program was dropped, Hunton was released as head coach and not paid for his final year.[18] He filed suit against the university regarding the contract, which was settled out of court in 1943.[20]

Head coaching record

College
Year Coach Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Gonzaga Bulldogs (Independent) (1939–1941)
1939 Gonzaga 6–2
1940 Gonzaga 5–4–1
1941 Gonzaga 3–7
Gonzaga: 14–13–1
Total:14–13–1
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References
  1. "Gonzaga selects John Hunton to handle university football coach job". Spokesman-Review. March 7, 1939. p. 12.
  2. ""Puggy" Hunton taken by death". Spokane Daily Chronicle. October 4, 1967. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  3. "Puggy Hunton is appointed Gonzaga head coach". Spokane Daily Chronicle. September 1, 1928. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  4. "Puggy Hunton looms as strong contender for post of head coach at Gonzaga University". Spokane Daily Chronicle. February 3, 1939. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  5. "Puggy Hunton named by Gonzaga University officials to coach the varsity gridiron team". Spokane Daily Chronicle. March 6, 1939. p. 11. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  6. "Gonzaga stops Oregon 12 to 7 in major upset". Lewiston Morning Tribune. October 22, 1939. p. 12. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  7. DeLassus, David. "John W. "Puggy" Hunton Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  8. "Kennedy scores on Gonzaga as Cougars romp through to lopsided victory". Spokane Daily Chronicle. November 24, 1941. p. 12.
  9. "Gonzaga Bulldogs". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  10. "Gonzaga cancels its intercollegiate football program". Spokane Daily Chronicle. April 7, 1942. p. 11.
  11. "Unofficial word says Hunton will be dismissed at Gonzaga". Spokane Daily Chronicle. April 8, 1942. p. 17.
  12. "Gonzaga might drop football". Ellensburg Daily Record. Washington. Associated Press. October 23, 1939. p. 6.
  13. Ashlock, Herb (October 23, 1939). "Financial problem may force Gonzaga University to drop collegiate football program". Spokane Daily Chronicle. p. 11.
  14. "Gonzaga looks for supporters". Spokesman-Review. October 24, 1939. p. 14.
  15. "Puggy Hunton will continue as head man of the Gonzaga University football machine". Spokane Daily Chronicle. November 15, 1939. p. 15.
  16. "Gonzaga board plans pay boost for Coach Puggy Hunton". Spokane Daily Chronicle. August 26, 1940. p. 13.
  17. "Hunton signs three-year contract at Gonzaga - Everybody happy". Spokesman-Review. August 27, 1940. p. 13.
  18. "Hutton sues Gonzaga". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. Associated Press. January 25, 1943. p. 6.
  19. "Puggy Hunton sues Gonzaga". Spokesman-Review. January 26, 1943. p. 1.
  20. Stark, C.R., Jr. (September 8, 1943). "Gonzaga squad may be formed". Spokesman-Review. p. 9.
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