Kipke, Harry G.
Football
b. March 26, 1899, Lansing, MI
d. Sept. 14, 1972
Named an All-American halfback in 1922 primarily because of his great punting ability, Kipke was a fine all-around back at the University of Michigan, where he also lettered in baseball and basketball. His ability to punt out of bounds near the opposition's goal line helped Michigan to a 19-1-2 record from 1921 through 1923, when he captained the team.
After serving as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri for four years, Kipke coached Michigan State to a 3-4-1 record in 1928 and then returned to his alma mater as head coach.
He had a very successful four-year period from 1930 through 1933, when Michigan won 31 games while losing only 1 and tying 3. Kipke called his system "a punt, a pass, and a prayer" in a 1933 article for the Saturday Evening Post. He also coined the phrase, "A great defense is a great offense."
The system didn't work so well during his last four years at Michigan, when he won only 12 games and lost 22. He resigned after the 1937 season.