Purdue’s head football coach and head basketball coach – at the same time
Alpha P. Jamison received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering in 1895 and 1897, respectively. While a student, Jamison was celebrated as the star quarterback and captain of the Purdue football team, earning a place on the "all-time team" as the greatest QB in Purdue's history. After graduation, he was an assistant professor of mechanical drawing at Purdue for 18 years. Additionally, Jamison held coaching positions in Purdue football and basketball. He served as head football coach for three seasons (1898-1900) and as head basketball coach for the 1899-1900 and 1900-1901 seasons. Interestingly, despite his football prowess, Jamison achieved greater success as a head basketball coach, with a record of 12 wins and one loss in basketball, compared with 11 wins, 11 losses and one tie in football.