The name of Lloyd P. Jordan, of Amherst, yesterday issued from the secrecy surrounding the selection of Harvard's next football coach. In fact, Jordan looms as a strong contender for the job.
Two years ago, Jordan was seriously considered for the Harvard head coaching position, and one informant reported that the College's final choice at that time lay between Jordan and Art Valpey.
Jordan, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and head football coach at Amherst, checked in at the Hotel Statler yesterday afternoon. He could not be reached there, but as of early this morning he had not checked out.
Earlier yesterday morning, Director of Athletics William J. Bingham '16 spoke to John P. (Stuffy) McInnis, possibly about Jordan.
McInnis, varsity baseball coach, worked under Jordan in 1948 while filling in for Amherst's regular baseball coach. Jordan is supposed to have told McInnis that he would like one crack at "big time" football.
Bingham was at home early last night and claimed Jordan was not there. No one was in the Bingham apartment between 9 and 11 p.m.
Mrs. Jordan Not Surprised
Contacted in Amherst, Mrs. Jordan said she did not know her husband's whereabouts or when he was expected back. However, when asked how she felt about moving to Cambridge, Mrs. Jordan expressed no surprise.
The Jordans have lived in Amherst since 1932, when Jordan became athletic director and head football and basketball coach. He was relieved of his basketball duties two years ago. In 17 years at Amherst, Jordan's football teams have won 74 games, lost 38, and tied five. The 1942 eleven was undefeated.
Jordan played end under the famed Glen S. (Pop) Warner at Pittsburgh. He was captain of the football and basketball teams and a member of the varsity baseball squad. Following graduation in 1924, he became head of physical education at a Pittsburgh high school and went from there to Colgate, where he was line coach under Andy Kerr from 1928 to 1932. Colgate lost three games in that period.
When Jordan, who is 49 years old, was appointed at Amherst, Warner said, "Jordan is one of the brightest players I have ever coached. He has demonstrated unusual coaching ability."
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