TicketsCINCINNATI -- Former University of Cincinnati football captain and coach Ralph Staub passed away on Jan. 1 at 93 years old.
Staub, a Cincinnati native and Hughes High School graduate, enlisted in the US Navy out of high school. Upon returning home he enrolled at the University of Cincinnati on a football scholarship, playing offensive and defensive end for the Bearcats from 1949-51 under the leadership of legendary coach Sid Gillman.
As a sophomore in 1949, Staub and the Bearcats finished 7-4 while their unbeaten league record earned a Mid-American Conference title. The 1950 team finished 8-4, earning a berth in the Sun Bowl, just the third bowl appearance in program history. The 1951 team, on which Staub served as a captain, stands as one of the greatest in program history. The team finished 10-1, recording double-digit victories for the first time ever. That team also made Cincinnati's first-ever appearance in the AP Poll, reaching #18 after a 40-0 victory over Ohio in November.
After his playing days, Staub pursued a career in coaching, working in the high school ranks at Deer Park and Greenhills (now part of Winton Woods) from 1954-63.
It was then that Staub returned to UC, serving as an offensive line coach under Charles Studley and Homer Rice for five seasons, from 1964 to 1968. Staub's first year as a Cincinnati assistant saw an 8-2 record and a Missouri Valley Conference championship.
After assistant coaching stops at Northwestern and Ohio State, Staub was named head coach of the Bearcats football program before the 1977 season. He served in his role for four seasons before coaching stints with the Houston Oilers and Oklahoma Outlaws (USFL).
Staub's memorial service will be Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. in Palm Harbor, Fla. More information on Staub's memorial and how to send flowers to his family can be found here.
Staub, a Cincinnati native and Hughes High School graduate, enlisted in the US Navy out of high school. Upon returning home he enrolled at the University of Cincinnati on a football scholarship, playing offensive and defensive end for the Bearcats from 1949-51 under the leadership of legendary coach Sid Gillman.
As a sophomore in 1949, Staub and the Bearcats finished 7-4 while their unbeaten league record earned a Mid-American Conference title. The 1950 team finished 8-4, earning a berth in the Sun Bowl, just the third bowl appearance in program history. The 1951 team, on which Staub served as a captain, stands as one of the greatest in program history. The team finished 10-1, recording double-digit victories for the first time ever. That team also made Cincinnati's first-ever appearance in the AP Poll, reaching #18 after a 40-0 victory over Ohio in November.
After his playing days, Staub pursued a career in coaching, working in the high school ranks at Deer Park and Greenhills (now part of Winton Woods) from 1954-63.
It was then that Staub returned to UC, serving as an offensive line coach under Charles Studley and Homer Rice for five seasons, from 1964 to 1968. Staub's first year as a Cincinnati assistant saw an 8-2 record and a Missouri Valley Conference championship.
After assistant coaching stops at Northwestern and Ohio State, Staub was named head coach of the Bearcats football program before the 1977 season. He served in his role for four seasons before coaching stints with the Houston Oilers and Oklahoma Outlaws (USFL).
Staub's memorial service will be Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. in Palm Harbor, Fla. More information on Staub's memorial and how to send flowers to his family can be found here.