John W. Heisman
The first paid coach and athletic director at Buchtel College, forerunner of the University of Akron, Heisman came on the scene in 1893, early in a long and successful football coaching career. He guided BC to its first winning season, 5-2, establishing a record of 276 points that stood until 1969. After helping Buchtel to its only win ever over Ohio State, 12-6 in ’94 he went on to coach at Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech, among others. His name lives on today, engraved on a trophy craved by many players annually – the Heisman Trophy.