University of Michigan Football Coaches
Chalmers W. (Bump) Elliott
1959 - 1968
51-42-2
Named Michigan's 13th head coach in 1959, Elliott holds the rare distinction of both coaching and playing for Big Ten and Rose Bowl chamionship teams during his football career as a Wolverine. He directed the 1964 Michigan team to a 9-1 record and a Rose Bowl victory over Oregon State, 34-7. During Elliott's ten seasons as head coach, Michigan produced five All-American performers: Bob Timberlake '64, Bill Yearby 1964-65, Jack Clancy '66, Rick Volk '66, and Ron Johnson '68.
Elliott was three-sport letter winner for Purdue in 1943 as a Marine trainee. Following his military service, Bump joined his brother Pete at Michigan in 1946. In the Wolverines' national championship season of 1947, Elliott was named All-American and selected as the Big Ten Most Valuable Player. Coach Fritz Crisler called Elliott the greatest right halfback he had ever seen. He finished the season as Michgan's second leading rusher and punt returner and led the squad in pass receiving. Elliott also lettered in basketball and baseball.
He began his coaching career at Oregon State in 1948, remaining there until he was named the offensive backfield coach at Iowa in 1952. While at Iowa he helped the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten and Rose Bowl titles in 1956. Elliott returned to Ann Arbor in 1957 to coach the maize and blue backfield under coach Bennie Oosterbaan.