Maine Grabs Nelson as Head Coach

Davey Nelson, backfield coach on Art Valpey's staff last fall, won't be around next season. He was hired yesterday as head football coach at the University of Maine.

Valpey, terming the loss of Nelson "a terrific blow," starts looking for a replacement today. "Davey knows the single wing inside and out," commented Art last night. "He's an all-around gentleman and has been a good ambassador for Harvard."

The Maine post won't be Nelson's first head coaching job, for he was athletic director as well as football coach at Hillsdale College in Michigan for two seasons in 1946 and '47.

High Man at the Stadium

Davey will undoubtedly be missed on Soldiers Field this spring and next fall. Valpey gives him "a great deal of credit for the speed with which we installed the single wing last fall," and his observation from the Stadium roof during games made him a key man in the Crimson strategic services.

One Loss In The Years

His record at Hillsdale must certainly have looked good to Maine's athletic directors. "Tad" Wieman. In two seasons, Nelson's team lost just one game, while winning 14 and tying two.

Wieman, commenting on the appointment said, "Our search for the best man available has been nationwide. In Dave Nelson I think we have found exactly the man we want. He fits our situation ideally and comes to us with highest recommendations from some of the country's foremost football men."