Franklin Dean "Muddy" Waters

Franklin Dean “Muddy” Waters

Michigan State Football Player (1946 – 1949)
Hillsdale College Football Coach (1953 – 1973)
Saginaw Valley State Football Coach (1975 – 1979)
Michigan State Football Coach (1980 – 1982)

Muddy Waters was born in Chico, California and grew up in Wallingford, Connecticut. He moved on to Michigan State where he played fullback for the Spartans from 1946 – 1949, following his playing days, Waters went into the coaching profession. His first head coaching position was with Hillsdale College in 1953 and during his 21-year run as head coach compiled a record of 138 – 47 – 5. From 1953 to 1957 his teams won 34 consecutive games. He was named the NAIA Coach of the Year in 1957 and won seven consecutive (1954 – 1960) Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) conference championships. After leaving Hillsdale following the 1973 season, he went on to become the first head coach at Saginaw Valley State University where he compiled a 25 – 26 – 2 record over four seasons, winning the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) title in his final season. In 1980 he became the head coach at Michigan State for three seasons. In all Waters compiled a record of 173 – 96 – 7, earning eight Michigan Coach of the Year awards. Franklin “Muddy” Waters was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000, the NAIA Hall of Fame, the Hillsdale College Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. He passed away on September 22, 2006 at 83 years of age.