Joe McKenney

Joseph McKenney (March 1, 1905 – May 17, 1995) was an American football player, coach, and official. He served as the head football coach at Boston College from 1928 to 1934, compiling a record of 44–18–3. McKenney also played at Boston College and was the starting quarterback for the Eagles from 1923 to 1926.

Early life McKenney was born and raised in Brighton, Massachusetts and was a baseball, football and track star at Brighton High School. An injury suffered during his high school football career prevented him from pitching for the Boston College Eagles baseball team, however in 1927 he returned to the diamond as an outfielder. He compiled a 44–18–3 record in his seven seasons as head coach. He supplemented his income by serving as a professor of modern history at BC and taking outside jobs, including as a salesman for the Boston Coal Company. However, after the sudden death of James Crowley the following month, McKenney resigned from the commission and ended his coaching career to become the associate director of physical education of Boston Public Schools. Although the position paid less than his other jobs combined, it was seen as more stable. In 1945 he was promoted to director of physical education. In this role, McKenney increased the number of coaches for all sports, added golf and tennis programs, created a fund for injured athletes, and instituted athletic programs for elementary and middle schools. Along with his assistant, William H. Ohrenberger, McKenney oversaw the construction White Stadium. In 1966, McKenney was appointed director of personnel relations for Boston Public Schools. He was a key figure in the administration of superintendent William H. Ohrenberger, a former teammate of McKenney's and his former associate director of physical education. McKenney retired in 1970.

Football official From 1936 to 1945, McKenney was a linesman for college football games. In 1988 he received the National Football Foundation's Outstanding Football Official Award.

Construction of Alumni Stadium From 1938 to 1948, McKenney was a member of the Metropolitan District Commission. In 1942 he arranged for Boston College to acquire a reservoir near the campus from the MDC once it was declared inactive in exchange for his support on a similar agreement for Tufts University. The reservoir was declared inactive in 1948 and was acquired by Boston College the following year. The team folded after a single season (1968).

Later life In 1983, McKenney was awarded an honorary degree from Boston College. McKenney has the distinction of being the only person in American college history to serve as captain his football team, head coach of his football team, elected president of his college's alumni association, and receive an honorary degree from the school. He was a season ticket holder for BC football until his death on May 17, 1995, at Maristhill Nursing Home in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Head coaching record