Butch Nash

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 to 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][13]

Nash also played basketball for the Golden Gophers and was on the 1936–1937 Big Ten Championship team.[14]

Awards and championships

Role Year Award or Championship
End 1935 National Champions[9]
End 1935 Big Ten Champions[15]
End 1936 National Champions [9][2]
End 1937 Big Ten Champions [15]
Guard 1937 Big Ten Champions (Basketball) [14]
End 1938 Big Ten Champions [15]
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 [15]
Asst. Coach 1962 Rose Bowl Champions [10]

Personal life

Nash was married to Mary Leona "Lee" Nash and had three children.[16][17]

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.[18]

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

George "Butch" Nash Scholarship

The George "Butch" Nash Scholarship is awarded each year to a Golden Gopher Football Player. The recipient for the 2023-24 season is Kenric Lanier II, Wide Receiver, Decatur, GA.

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."[19] 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.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Hail Butch Nash! He's a Players' Player". The Minneapolis Star. October 11, 1938. p. 17. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Johnson, William Oscar (October 31, 1977). Sports Illustrated. p. 23. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Former_Assistant_Coach_Nash_Passes_Away_At_Age_89". GopherSports.com. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  4. ^ "End-play, By-Play". The Minneapolis Star. December 15, 1938. p. 26. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  5. ^ "Nash Went a Long Way on Courage". The Minneapolis Star. November 23, 1938. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  6. ^ "Cardinals Still After Nash". The Minneapolis Star. August 17, 1939. p. 28. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Michigan Places 3 Stars on All Big Ten Team". The Independent, St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP story). November 21, 1938. p. 11.
  8. ^ a b c Minnesota Football Media Guide (2004 ed.). University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics. p. 329.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Golden Gopher National Champions". GopherSports.com. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c "Bowl History". GopherSports.com. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  11. ^ "Pioneer Press: shooter-now-35-years-ago-two-words-good-luck-lifted-gophers-past-michigan". TwinCities.com. October 29, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  12. ^ Reusse, Patrick. "Kitzmann's legend born in one 57-carry game in '77". StarTribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  13. ^ Reusse, Patrick. "Gophers-Michigan football isn't the marquee rivalry it once was". StarTribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Men's Basketball Big Ten Champs". GopherSports.com. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  15. ^ a b c d "Year-by-Year Records". GopherSports.com. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  16. ^ "Butch Nash Obituary". StarTribute.com.
  17. ^ "Mary Leona Nash Obituary". StarTribute.com.
  18. ^ "Pass Grabbing High Spot of Gopher Drills". The Minneapolis Star. September 14, 1938. p. 15. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  19. ^ "Honors and Awards". GopherSports.com. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  20. ^ "Minnesota Football Coaches Association Butch Nash Award". Minnesota High School Coaches Association. Retrieved June 5, 2019.