Iowa Football: Top 10 head coaches in program history
7. John Chalmers: 1903-1905
Career Record: 24-8
A name that is mostly forgotten in the history of Iowa football is John Chalmers. Chalmers spent his playing days at Lafayette College in New York, graduating in 1902.
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In 1901, he was brought in by Dubuque High School in Dubuque, Iowa, to be head football coach and in his one season, led Dubuque High to a state championship over West Des Moines High School. He then became head coach at Franklin & Marshall College in 1902 and was brought to Iowa in 1903.
Chalmers had quite a bit of success at Iowa, just not against conference opponents. In his three seasons, he never won less than seven games in a season, but had a dismal 1-6 record against Big Ten opponents in that time frame. Chalmers was also the head coach of the basketball and baseball teams during his tenure as well. Chalmers left Iowa following the 1905 season.
After leaving Iowa, Chalmers became a legendary coach at the University of Dubuque, compiling a 49-21-4 record in his 10 seasons coaching the Spartans. The football field at Dubuque is named “Chalmers Field” in his honor.