Butch Nash


George "Butch" Addison Nash was an American football collegiate player and coach for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He played for the Golden Gophers from 1935–1938. During that time, he played the end position. Nash earned second-team Associated Press All-Big Ten Conference honors for his efforts in his senior 1938 season. He was later an assistant coach for the Golden Gophers from 1947 through 1980 as primarily a defensive ends specialist. He then returned in 1984 as the junior varsity coach. He then worked as a volunteer coach from 1985–1991. He fully retired from coaching after the 1991 season. During his career, he worked under seven head coaches: Bernie Bierman, Wes Fesler, Murray Warmath, Cal Stoll, Joe Salem, Lou Holtz, and John Gutekunst.
Nash's career is highlighted by several key moments including National Football Championships in 1935 and 1936 as a player. As a coach, he earned a National Championship in 1960, a Rose Bowl victory in 1962, and bowl participation in the 1961 Rose Bowl and 1977 Hall of Fame Bowl
Another key highlight is the role he played in the 1977 and 1986 victories over the Michigan Wolverines. He delivered pre-game speeches to the team telling them the importance of the rivalry and the history of the "Little Brown Jug."
Nash also played basketball for the Golden Gophers and was on the 1936–1937 Big Ten Championship team.

Awards and championships

RoleYearAward or Championship
End1935National Champions
End1935Big Ten Champions
End1936National Champions
End1937Big Ten Champions
Guard1937Big Ten Champions
End1938Big Ten Champions
End1938Associated Press All Big Ten 2nd Team
Head Coach1941Big Nine Champion
Asst. Coach1960National Champions
Asst. Coach1960Big Ten Champions
Asst. Coach1962Rose Bowl Champions

Personal life

Nash was married to Mary Leona "Lee" Nash and had three children. He had five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Early life

Nash was born in Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 13, 1915. He attended Edison High School in Minneapolis and was a standout athlete in Basketball and Football.
He died July 18, 2005 at the age of 89 years old.

The Butch Nash Player Award

Since 1984, the Golden Gopher football team awards the Butch Nash award to player that are "competitive on the field and in the classroom." The recipient list is below.
YearPlayerPosition
1984 John Kelly C
1985 Andy Hare FL
1986 Anthony Burke OT
1987 Brian Bonner OLB
1988 Ross Ukkelberg DT
1989 Dan Liimatta OT
1990 Frank Jackson CB
1991 Joel Staats LB
1992 Russ Heath LB
1993 Omar Douglas WR
1994 Justin Conzemius DB
1995 Justin Conzemius LB
1996 Cory Sauter QB
1997 Parc Williams LB
1998 Parc Williams LB
1999 Ben Mezera LB
2000 Ben Hamilton C
2001 Derek Burns OG
2002 Dan Kwapinski DT
2003 Greg Eslinger C
2004 Mark Setterstrom OG
2005 Greg Eslinger C
2006 Dominic Jones CB
2007 John Shevlin LB / S
2007 Steve Shidell OT
2008 Jeff Tow-Arnett OL
2009 Jon Hoese FB
2009 Steve Shidell OT
2010 Ryan Collado CB / D
2010 D.J. Burris C
2011 Aaron Hill LB
2012 Aaron Hill LB
2013 Jon Christenson C
2014 Jon Christenson C
2015 Jon Christenson OG 
2016 Scott Ekpe DT
2017 Brandon Lingen TE
2017 Andrew Stelter DL
2018 Payton Jordahl DL
2018 Gary Moore DL
2018 Sam Renner DL
2019Sam RennerDL
2019Blaise AndriesOL

The Butch Nash High School Assistant Coach Award

The Butch Nash High School Assistant Coach Award given to outstanding Minnesota high school football coaches based on the criteria that they are an active coach, could be coaching at the varsity or lower levels, have a sufficient years of service to their program, along with other criteria mentioned on the Minnesota Football Coaches web site.