Detroit Titans football


The Detroit Titans were the college football team which represented the University of Detroit from 1896 to 1964. The team posted an undefeated season in 1928, staking a claim to a national title. The program was terminated in 1964 for financial reasons.

History

Under head coach Gus Dorais in 1928, the Titans won all nine of their games. Several years later Parke H. Davis, considered to be a "major selector" by the NCAA, named the 1928 team to a share of the national championship.
From 1922 on, the Titans played their home games at University of Detroit Stadium near McNichols Road and Fairfield Street on the university's McNichols campus.
The football program had incurred large losses since 1951, and was discontinued after the 1964 season. At the time of the sport's termination, university president Rev. Laurence V. Britt stated that the institution "does not currently have and does not foresee any prospects of its having the substantial funds" required to continue the program.

Conference affiliations

Detroit was both independent and affiliated with the Missouri Valley Conference.

Championships

National championships

Detroit won its only national championship in 1928, with Parke H. Davis selecting both Detroit and Georgia Tech. The school claims this championship.
1928Parke H. DavisGus Dorais9–0

Head coaches

Head CoachYearsSeasonsRecordPct.
William S. Robinson1896-1899413-5-1.700
John C. Mackey1900-190126-6-0.500
Edward J. Ryan1902, 190627-5-1.577
Alfred W. Debo1903-190426-6-0.500
George A. Kelly1907, 1909-191037-5-2.571
Royal R. Campbell1911-191228-6-1.567
George M. Lawton1913-191426-6-3.500
Harry Costello1915-191624-7-2.385
James F. Duffy1917, 1919-1922, 1924643-12-1.777
Germany Schulz192314-3-2.556
Gus Dorais1925-194218113-48-7.693
Chuck Baer1945-1950635-21-1.623
Dutch Clark1951-1953313-17-0.433
Wally Fromhart1954-1958519-25-2.435
Jim Miller1959-1961318-10-0.643
John Idzik1962-196436-21-1.232