Charles V. (Chuck) Mather, 38, coach at Washington High School, Massillon, O., the past six years, today was given a three-year contract as head football coach at Kansas University.
His starting salary was given as $9,500 a year.
Announcement of the selection of Mather was made from the office of Chancellor Franklin D. Murhpy at 11:30 a.m. The Ohioan, the 27th coach in K.U. history, succeeds J. V. Sikes who resigned Nov. 21, 1953, after six years on the job.
Mather will be allowed to select four assistants and 3 freshman coach. He is expected in Lawrence Saturday, Jan. 23, and is due to discuss his plans for assistants and 1954 spring practice at that time. A press conference will be held.
Ohio Northern Graduate
A graduate of Ohio Northern College in 1937, Mather has a 14 year high school record of 111 wins, 18 losses and five ties. His record at Massillon is 57-3, 23 of the victories coming in a row.
His Massillon teams have been voted state champions for all sic years he has been there by the Associated Press and the AP has chosen him Ohio’s coach of the year three of those seasons.
In addition to their coaching duties, Mather and his assistants, will teach in the Physical Education Department. He has a Master of Arts Degree which he obtained at Kent State (O.) University in 1952. After a trial period it is expected members of the staff will be granted faculty tenure if they measure up to the standards set by K.U. authorities.
Mather and his wife, Mildred, are the parents of a son, George, 6 , and a daughter, Nancy, 4 . Reached at his home in Massillon today, Mather said:
“Naturally I am pleased that Kansas University wants me to coach its football team. They have a beautiful school and extremely capable men to work with. This appointment, like my appointment to Massillon, is more than I ever dreamed of when I began coaching. It is only through the help of many wonderful people and players that this is possible.”
$6,900 at Massillon
Mather has been receiving $6,900 a year, as Massillon High coach. His current contract there expired this year.
K.U. athletic director A. C. (Dutch) Lonborg was instrumental in selection of the new man. Lonborg had an advisory committee of five men and his choice was subject to approval from the chancellor, the Athletic Board and the Board of Regents. Lonborg said, upon announcement of the new man:
“I firmly believe we have, in Chuck Mather, a man who will do an outstanding coaching job for us, and in so doing, will reflect great credit upon our University. We have spent considerable time and energy in thoroughly checking a wide field of topflight candidates. Coach Mather comes highly recommended by many prominent football men and Massillon public school officials.”
Following Lonborg’s statement, Dr. Murphy pointed out that while the athletic director had advice and the final choice was ratified by the three aforementioned agencies, the decision on the coach was Lonborg’s.
“I have met and talked with Chuck Mather and find he is a fine, attractive young man. He has high ideals and has the kind of personality one is happy to be associated with. I don’t know the technical aspects of his ability, but that is up to Mr. Lonborg, and I’m sure he’s chosen wisely.”
The candidate had been in Lawrence this week for a final interview.
Fourth Coach Since War
Mather, who coaches the Cleveland Brown version of the T formation, becomes the fourth Kansas football mentor since World War II. Sikes succeeded George Sauer in 1948. Henry Shenk had held the job until 1946 when he was replaced by Sauer. The new coach will leave the same high school from which Paul Brown went to Ohio State and then to the Cleveland Brown professional organization to achieve fame.
Upon graduation from Ohio Northern, Mather accepted the head football position at Brilliant, O., High school. His three-year mark was 10 wins, 11 loses and two ties. Working at a school notorious for its football defeats, he posted a 6-2 mark his final season, 1939.
His next stop was Leotonia, O., High School were during the 1910-41-45 seasons he compiled a 27-1-3 mark. For three years he served in the armed services.
Mather spent the 1946 and 1947 seasons at Hamilton, O., High School and his clubs compiled a 17-3 record. Then he went to Massillon to begin a reign of prep terror seldom equaled or topped.
Scores of honors have been heaped on the new K.U. coach famed for his organizational ability. He currently is publishing a book on high school coaching. It is scheduled to be released by Prentice Hall in August of this year. He is a much-sought speaker.