Prior to the season word got out that the season would be Fielding Yost’s last at the helm of the Wolverines. Beat writers weren’t convinced, even up to the final game of the season. Earlier in October, the Chicago Tribune ran a column titled, YOST’S RETIREMENT ALL BUNK, AS USUAL:
Apparently, the reports of old Yost calling it quits were a bit of a theme, enough so to go with the snickering headline. Perhaps headlines like this one in the New York Times all the way back to 1907 explain:
Despite the skepticism, Yost really did hang them up at the conclusion of the 1923 schedule. The players made sure they sent ‘Hurry Up’ out on a high, running the eight-game table while outscoring opponents 150-12. The Wolverines were recognized as national champions, sharing the honor with Illinois. After the season Yost threw on a fine suit and posed for the team photo next to captain Harry Kipke, who would go on to coach the great Michigan teams of the early 1930s:
After watching Illinois’ Red Grange legendary six-touchdown performance against his Meechigan, Yost decided to return to the sideline for the rematch in 1925.
As described in Bruce Madej’s book Champions of the West, “For 12 months, Yost schemed how to bridle Illinois’ Galloping Ghost. He replaced Michigan’s unsuccessful six-man line of 1924 with a seven-man front and a diamond-shaped secondary.”
When the teams met in October of 1925, the ‘Wheaton Iceman’ was stifled, mustering a mere 55 yards as Michigan shut out the Illini. A Benny Friedman field goal was all the Wolverines needed to prevail 3-0.
Yost would coach one final season (really this time) in 1926 and dedicated himself to the athletic director position, spearheading the transformation of Michigan’s athletic campus.
