James Aiken (1981) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

James Aiken

Induction:
1981
Class:
1938

1936-38
Coach - Football
‘38
Long-time followers of UA athletes say Jimmy Aiken was undoubtedly the school’s most colorful football coach. Some fans say colorful and controversial. As far as history is concerned, the facts bare out both comments. Akron was the first stop in the collegiate coaching career of Aiken. He came to UA in 1936 as head football coach and athletic director, succeeding the popular Howard “Red” Blair, after an exceptional 14-year high school coaching career in which Aiken compiled 121 wins, 16 losses and two ties. He had put together undefeated teams at East Washington (Pa.) High School (10-0), Steubenville (9-0), Findlay (10-0), Toledo Scott (9-0) and Canton McKinley (11-0). The selection of Aiken revived interest and enthusiasm of UA students, fans and alumni. His 1936 team, which won six, lost two and tied one, earned the moniker, “Iron Men”, when it played four quarters without substitution or timeout in the Baldwin Wallace game. However, the Ohio Conference took offense to eligibility of seven of Aiken’s players and when the issue couldn’t be resolved, Akron was expelled from the OC on December 11, 1936. Undaunted, Aiken filled out Akron schedules with non-conference rivals and won anyway. Playing the likes of Toledo and Xavier, the Zip gridders went on to compile a 7-2 record in ’37 and 6-3 mark in ’38. Aiken resigned prior to the 1939 season to take over the head job at The University of Nevada. However, during this three-year tenure he coached eight Hall of Famers—Frank Zazula, Andy Maluke, Earl Hensal, Mike Krino, Carl Tsaloff, Mike Fernella, Joe Zelma and Bill Sturgeon—a definite tribute to Aiken’s talent as a recruiter and coach. A native of Ohio County, West Virginia, Aiken eventually coach at The University of Oregon, taking it to the 1948 Cotton Bowl. He passed away on October 31, 1961 as the age of 61 in Roseburg, Oregon.