Harry Nelly
Henry Meredith Nelly was an American college football player and coach and United States Army officer. He served as the head football coach at the United States Military Academy from 1908 to 1910, compiling a record of 15–5–2. Nelly was born on January 1, 1878, in West Virginia. He died in 1928.
College football
Playing career
Nelly first played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers in the 1890s. During the team's 1895 season, he played as a substitute back.While attending the United States Military Academy, Nelly was a star player for the Army Cadets football team. He graduated the United States Military Academy in 1902.
Coaching career
For six seasons, Nelly was a coach for Army's football team. For three of these season he was head coach.In one season, he persuaded his former West Virginia Mountaineers teammate Fielding H. Yost to assist Army in its practices ahead of the Army–Navy Game.
Head coaching record
Officiating career
Nelly served as an official for many college football games, often acting as umpire or referee. Into the 1920s, Nelly continued to officiate college games.Military career
Nelly fought in Europe during World War I. His military career also saw him serve in The Philippines, China, and Panama.By the mid-1920s, Nelly had relocated to Chicago, Illinois, and was a colonel in the Army. He worked in Chicago as a member of the staff of the VI Corps.