Bierman, "Bernie" (Bernard W.)
Football
b. March 11, 1894, Springfield, MN
d. March 8, 1977
Bierman had to use crutches as a child because of osteomyelitis, but an operation cured the problem and he became a three-sport star in high school and at the University of Minnesota, where he captained the 1915 football team as a senior.
He coached high school football for a year, served in the Marine Corps for two years, then went to Montana State University for three seasons, winning 9, losing 9, and tying 3. Bierman married in 1921 and became a bonds salesman, but his wife talked him into getting back into coaching because she didn't like staying home alone while he was on the road.
After assisting at Tulane, Bierman became head coach at Mississippi A & M (now Mississippi State) in 1925 and had an 8-8-1 record there in two seasons. At Tulane from 1927 through 1931, Bierman won 36 games, lost 10, and tied 3. His 1931 team won all 11 of its games, then lost 21-12 to Southern California in the Rose Bowl.
Bierman returned to Minnesota in 1932. In his first ten seasons, he produced five undefeated teams, won six Big Ten championships, and had four national champions, in 1934, 1936, 1940, and 1941. After three years as a Marine colonel in World War II, he resumed coaching in 1945. He produced some good teams, but resigned after his 1950 team won only 1 game.
Quiet and cold, Bierman hated to talk to the press and was sometimes criticized by players for being uncommunicative. He believed in a conservative, run-oriented offense, backed by solid defense. His failure to adapt to two-platoon football and the T-formation after World War II led to his downfall after compiling a 146-62-13 record in 25 seasons.