American football player and coach (1920–2013)
John Franklin "Smiling Jack " Wiley (April 18, 1920 – March 25, 2013) was an American football player and coach. He played professionally a tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1946 to 1950. Willey served as the head football coach at his alma mater, Waynesburg College—now known as Waynesburg University —in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania , from 1951 to 1954, compiling a record of 22–9–1.
Playing career and miltitary service
Wiley played college football as a tackle at Waynesburg College—now known as Waynesburg University —in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania and appeared in the 1939 Waynesburg vs. Fordham football game , the first televised American football game. His three older brothers—Robert, Asa , and Bill—also played football as Waynesburg. The youngest Wiley brother graduated from Waynesburg in 1941.[ 1] United States Army during World War II , attaining the rank of captain.[ 2]
After World War II, Wiley played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1946 to 1950, under head coaches Jock Sutherland and John Michelosen .[ 2]
Coaching career
Wiley was the head football coach at his alma mater, Waynesburg, for four seasons, from 1951 to 1954, compiling a record of 22–9–1.[ 3] [ 4]
Wiley left Waynesburg to become an assistant at Pitt, where he is credited with recruiting Mike Ditka and Marty Schottenheimer .[ 2]
Late life and death
Waynesburg left coaching in 1961 to become a salesman and later regional manager for the L.G. Balfour Jewelry & Taylor Publishing Company. He died on March 25, 2013, in Rock Hill, South Carolina .[ 2]
Head coaching record
Year
Team
Overall
Conference
Standing
Bowl/playoffs
Waynesburg Yellow Jackets (Independent) (1951–1954)
1951
Waynesburg
6–3
1952
Waynesburg
7–1
1953
Waynesburg
4–3
1954
Waynesburg
5–2–1
Waynesburg:
22–9–1
Total: 22–9–1
References
^ "Last Of Four Wiley Boys Graduates At Waynesburg" . The Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . June 15, 1941. p. 12, section 2. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com ^ a b c d DiPaola, Jerry (March 27, 2013). "Ex-Waynesburg coach, Pitt assistant Wiley dies" . TribLive.com Trib Total Media . Retrieved March 18, 2023 . ^ "Wiley Added To Coaching Staff Of Pitt Panthers" . The Daily Item Sunbury, Pennsylvania . Associated Press . February 15, 1955. p. 13. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com ^ "Waynesberg College Football Media Guide" . Sidearm DMG. p. 79. Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2011 .
External links
