O'Dea, Patrick J.
Football
b. March 17, 1872, Melbourne, Australia
d. April 4, 1962
Ranked as one of the greatest kickers of all time, O'Dea was a rugby star in Australia before coming the United States in 1896 and entering the University of Wisconsin, where his brother coached track and field. He drop-kicked a 62-yard field goal and had an 87-yard punt against Northwestern in 1898, winning his nickname: "The Kangaroo Kicker."
The 6-foot, 170-pound O'Dea was also a dangerous runner; he had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in 1899 against Beloit College. He also kicked four field goals in that game.
Because of his rugby background, O'Dea was expert at kicking the ball on the run, and he was also known for his ability to curve a punt, a trick he later taught Notre Dame fullback Red Salmon. O'Dea coached Notre Dame to a 14-4-2 record from 1900 through 1901 and had a 5-3-0 record as coach at the University of Missouri in 1902.
He disappeared for more than fifteen years. It was thought that he may have gone missing in action while serving with the Australian army during World War I. Late in 1934, though, he was found living under the name of Charles J. Mitchell in Westwood, California. He had assumed the new identity because he was tired of being identified as a former star football player.