Frank Gilliam
Encyclopedia
Frank Gilliam was an All-American football player and coach for the University of Iowa
. He later played several seasons in the Canadian Football League
. Gilliam is a member of the University of Iowa
’s all-time football team.
and Eddie Vincent. Frank was nicknamed “Shag” because of the baggy pants he liked to wear. Gilliam and Vincent committed to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes
, while Cal Jones committed to play for Ohio State
. However, at the last minute, Jones switched his commitment and decided to accompany Gilliam and Vincent to Iowa City
. Gilliam, Vincent, and Jones became affectionately known as the “Steubenville Trio”.
. With 2:06 remaining in the game, Gilliam made a diving catch in the end zone to give Iowa a 14-7 lead. But Notre Dame completed a touchdown pass with six seconds to play to salvage a 14–14 tie, thanks in large part to an injury timeout that was granted when two Notre Dame players fell at the same time. The tie cost the Irish the #1 spot in the final AP Poll
, dropping them to a distant #2. Iowa rocketed into the AP rankings, finishing the year ninth in the nation and garnering six first place votes. It was Iowa’s highest ranking since 1939.
In 1954, Iowa finished with a 5-4 record. Before Gilliam’s senior season in 1955, he broke his leg and was forced to sit out for a year. Jones and Vincent played their senior seasons in 1955, with Cal Jones winning the Outland Trophy
.
In Gilliam’s senior season of 1956, Iowa had a 9-1 record, winning the Big Ten and a trip to the Rose Bowl for the first time in school history. Frank Gilliam was named a second team All-American after the season. The happy occasion was marred, however, by the discovery that Gilliam’s close friend, Cal Jones, had died in a plane crash in the mountains of western Canada during a howling windstorm. Frank Gilliam’s final game with the Hawkeyes came in the 1957 Rose Bowl, where Iowa defeated Oregon State
, 35-19.
of the Canadian Football League
for three seasons from 1957-1959. After retiring from professional football, he was a teacher for a few years before becoming an assistant coach to Jerry Burns
at the University of Iowa from 1966-1970. Gilliam then joined the Minnesota Vikings
, where he was a scout and personnel man for over 36 years.
In 1989, Iowa fans selected an all-time University of Iowa football
team during the 100th anniversary celebration of Iowa football, and Frank Gilliam was selected as a starting end.
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
. He later played several seasons in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. Gilliam is a member of the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
’s all-time football team.
Background
Frank Gilliam attended high school in Steubenville, Ohio, and was football teammates with Calvin JonesCal Jones
Calvin Jack Jones was a college football player for the University of Iowa. Jones is one of only two Iowa football players to have his jersey number retired by the school. Jones became the first Hawkeye, and the first African-American, to win the Outland Trophy in 1955...
and Eddie Vincent. Frank was nicknamed “Shag” because of the baggy pants he liked to wear. Gilliam and Vincent committed to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
, while Cal Jones committed to play for Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
. However, at the last minute, Jones switched his commitment and decided to accompany Gilliam and Vincent to Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
. Gilliam, Vincent, and Jones became affectionately known as the “Steubenville Trio”.
Iowa career
As a sophomore in 1953, Frank Gilliam, who played the right end position, helped Iowa to an excellent season. Iowa’s final game of that season was against #1 Notre Dame in South BendSouth Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
. With 2:06 remaining in the game, Gilliam made a diving catch in the end zone to give Iowa a 14-7 lead. But Notre Dame completed a touchdown pass with six seconds to play to salvage a 14–14 tie, thanks in large part to an injury timeout that was granted when two Notre Dame players fell at the same time. The tie cost the Irish the #1 spot in the final AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
, dropping them to a distant #2. Iowa rocketed into the AP rankings, finishing the year ninth in the nation and garnering six first place votes. It was Iowa’s highest ranking since 1939.
In 1954, Iowa finished with a 5-4 record. Before Gilliam’s senior season in 1955, he broke his leg and was forced to sit out for a year. Jones and Vincent played their senior seasons in 1955, with Cal Jones winning the Outland Trophy
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
.
In Gilliam’s senior season of 1956, Iowa had a 9-1 record, winning the Big Ten and a trip to the Rose Bowl for the first time in school history. Frank Gilliam was named a second team All-American after the season. The happy occasion was marred, however, by the discovery that Gilliam’s close friend, Cal Jones, had died in a plane crash in the mountains of western Canada during a howling windstorm. Frank Gilliam’s final game with the Hawkeyes came in the 1957 Rose Bowl, where Iowa defeated Oregon State
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, 35-19.
Professional career
Frank Gilliam left to play for Winnipeg Blue BombersWinnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
for three seasons from 1957-1959. After retiring from professional football, he was a teacher for a few years before becoming an assistant coach to Jerry Burns
Jerry Burns
Jerome Monahan "Jerry" Burns is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Iowa, from 1961 to 1965, compiling record of 16–27–2, and for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL from 1986 to 1991, tallying a mark of...
at the University of Iowa from 1966-1970. Gilliam then joined the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
, where he was a scout and personnel man for over 36 years.
In 1989, Iowa fans selected an all-time University of Iowa football
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
team during the 100th anniversary celebration of Iowa football, and Frank Gilliam was selected as a starting end.