John Chalmers (coach)
John George Chalmers (August 17, 1874 – June 8, 1962)[1] was an American football, basketball, and baseball coach.Born in Downsville, New York, Chalmers was one of the most successful athletes in Lafayette College history.[2] Chalmers then served as athletic director at Franklin & Marshall College for a year before being hired to replace Alden Knipe as head football coach at the University of Iowa in 1903.[3] He was hired from Lafayette College to replace John C. Hedges who had resigned the previous year.Chalmers wanted to leave the university after the 1905 football season and begin his law practice in Dubuque.These rule changes were made in response to growing criticism over player injuries and deaths during games at that time.Chalmers learned the eastern style of play at Lafayette, coaching players as individuals and devising conservative schemes to maximize their talents.