Although he is not known for being the inventor or father of football, John Heisman was such a tremendous innovator and leader in the early years of college football. Heisman made such an impact on the sport that when it was time to name college football's top individual award, it was named in his honor. Heisman was born October 23, 1869 in Cleveland, Ohio.  It's quite interesting that Heisman's arrival took place just a mere two weeks before the first college football game that was ever played between Rutgers and New Jersey on November 6, 1869.  Two decades later Heisman was playing the sport as a center, tackle and end for Brown (1887-1889) and Penn (1890-1891). While there is a long list of schools that have produced a Heisman Trophy winner, there's actually a shorter Heisman list that includes a list of colleges.  And that list is the football programs that Heisman coached during his 35 year coaching span.  While coaching football teams (he also coached baseball and basketball) to 186 wins, Heisman is credited with helping to legalize the forward pass in 1906 and originating the center snap. Heisman passed away on October 3, 1936.  Just two months later, the very first Heisman Memorial Trophy was presented when it was awarded to Jay Berwanger on December 9, 1936.  

John Heisman Football Head Coaching Positions
1892	Oberlin
1893-1894	Buchtel
1894	Oberlin
1895-1899	Auburn
1900-1903	Clemson
1904-1919	Georgia Tech
1920-1922	Penn
1923	Washington & Jefferson
1924-1927	Rice
Heisman's overall coaching record in football was 186-70-18.