@atenears said:

Larry Kehres of Mount Union?

In 2009, Larry Kehres (Care-Us) begins his 35th year at Mount Union College and his 24th season as head football coach. In his 23 years at the helm of the Purple Raiders he has built one of the most successful programs in all of college football.

His teams have won 19 Ohio Athletic Conference Championships (1986, 1990, 1992-2008) while posting 17 undefeated regular seasons (1986, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995-2004, 2006-2008) and claiming 10 of the last 16 NCAA Division III National Championships (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008).

Since 1990, the Raiders have made 18 NCAA Playoff appearances while posting college football's most wins and best winning percentage (245-11-1/.956). Since 2000, Mount Union has record of 125-4.

In total, Kehres has a career coaching record of 275-21-3 (.924) and for his efforts has been named American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year a record 13 times, AFCA National Coach of the Year eight times, OAC Coach of the Year six times and in 2008 became just the second-ever NCAA Division III winner of the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year award.

You know that i'm a Kehres fan, and i attend a couple games per year. Mount Union is a football machine that excels in all aspects of the game. Recognition on our Mount Rushmore would be a bit of a stretch. However, some time back i was watching one of those Top 20 shows on ESPN running down the Top 20 coaches of all time. Kehres didn't even get an honorable mention which, to me, was absurd.

Larry Kehres of Mount Union?

In 2009, Larry Kehres (Care-Us) begins his 35th year at Mount Union College and his 24th season as head football coach. In his 23 years at the helm of the Purple Raiders he has built one of the most successful programs in all of college football.

His teams have won 19 Ohio Athletic Conference Championships (1986, 1990, 1992-2008) while posting 17 undefeated regular seasons (1986, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995-2004, 2006-2008) and claiming 10 of the last 16 NCAA Division III National Championships (1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008).

Since 1990, the Raiders have made 18 NCAA Playoff appearances while posting college football's most wins and best winning percentage (245-11-1/.956). Since 2000, Mount Union has record of 125-4.

In total, Kehres has a career coaching record of 275-21-3 (.924) and for his efforts has been named American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year a record 13 times, AFCA National Coach of the Year eight times, OAC Coach of the Year six times and in 2008 became just the second-ever NCAA Division III winner of the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year award.

Still, some names stand above the rest: Paul Brown, Jim Brown, Jack Nicklaus, and Jesse Owens would be my final four. Arguments could certainly be made for Bob Feller, Otto Graham, Pete Rose, Cy Young, Archie Griffin (being the only two-time Heisman winner must stand for something) and potentially even LeBron James (though I'd think we'll have to wait until his career is over.)

In terms of just Cleveland sports, well it's Paul Brown, Jim Brown, Otto Graham and Bob Feller. Just college sports? Paul Brown, Archie Griffin, Jesse Owens and Woody Hayes.

except we have a horse at #3

From the same link:

1 Arthur Ashe, Richmond

Winner of 33 pro titles; won the U.S. Open in 1968 as an amateur; winner of '70 Australian Open and Wimbledon in '75; ranked in world's Top 10 for 12 years.

2

Lawrence Taylor, Williamsburg

Baseball star at Lafayette High; All-America in football at North Carolina; NFL's alltime leader in sacks by a linebacker, with Giants.

3

Secretariat, Doswell

Raised at Meadow Farm; capped 1973 Triple Crown with a 31-length victory in Belmont Stakes.

4

Bruce Smith, Norfolk

Won 1985 Outland Trophy as a senior at Virginia Tech; second on NFL's career sack list.

5

Sam Snead, Hot Springs

Most wins on PGA Tour (81), including seven majors.

6

Moses Malone, Petersburg

Led Petersburg High to two undefeated state championship seasons; went straight to ABA's Utah Stars in 1974; three-time NBA MVP and 12-time All-Star.

7

David Robinson, Manassas

Consensus college player of the year at Navy in 1987; 1994-95 NBA MVP; has been eight-time All-Star with Spurs.

8

Ralph Sampson, Harrisonburg

Three-time AP College Player of the Year at Virginia; Rookie of the Year for Rockets in 1984; four-time NBA All-Star.

9

Willie Lanier, Richmond

Six-time All-Pro middle linebacker played 11 AFL and NFL seasons with Chiefs.

10

Dwight Stephenson, Hampton

All-State center and defensive tackle for Hampton High state champions. Hall of Fame center with Dolphins from 1980 to '87.

11

Grant Hill, Reston

Three-time All-America at Duke; NBA co-Rookie of the Year; four-time All-Star.

13

Alonzo Mourning, Chesapeake

Two-time Mr. Virginia averaged 9.6 blocks as senior at Indian River High; 1998-99 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

15

Allen Iverson, Hampton

Was state's player of the year in football and basketball at Bethel High his junior year; led NBA in scoring in 1998-99 for 76ers.

16

Clarence (Ace) Parker, Portsmouth

Five-sport star at Woodrow Wilson High; in college and pro football halls of fame; hit a home run in first big league at bat for Philadelphia A's in 1937.

17

Andre Cason, Virginia Beach

Set world indoor 60-meter-dash record in 1992; member of world-record U.S. 4x100-meter relay team.

19

Roosevelt (Rosey) Brown, Charlottesville

Black All-America tackle at Morgan State (1951, '52); All-Pro eight seasons with Giants.

20

Ray Dandridge, Richmond

Negro leagues star of 1930s and '40s; considered best third baseman never to play in the majors.

21

Pernell Whitaker, Norfolk

Olympic lightweight boxing gold medalist in 1984; six-time champ in four divisions from 1987 to '97.

23

Curtis Strange, Norfolk

1974 NCAA champion and World Amateur Cup winner at Wake Forest; U.S. Open champion in '88 and '89.

25

Lanny Wadkins, Richmond

Has 21 PGA Tour victories, including 1977 PGA Championship.

26

Barty Smith, Richmond

Baseball, football, basketball and track star had state record toss of 59' 1" in shot; led Packers in rushing and receiving in 1977.

27

Beattie Feathers, Bristol

All-state at Bristol High four times; Tennessee All-America; with 1934 Bears, the first NFL back to run for 1,000 yards.

30

Charles Haley, Gladys

Pass-rush specialist; onlyman to play on five Super Bowl champions, with 49ers and Cowboys.

31

Jake Scott, Arlington

Super Bowl VII MVP clinched Dolphins' perfect 1972 season with two interceptions against Redskins; five-time All-Pro safety.

35

Sonny Randle, Cohasset

Track and football star at Virginia; had most NFL TD catches in 1960s (for Cards, Cowboys and 49ers); coach at Virginia and Marshall.

38

Chandler Harper, Portsmouth

Won 20 PGA Tour events, including the 1950 PGA Championship; youngest (18) and oldest (56) Virginia state golf champion.

39

D.J. Dozier, Virginia Beach

Led Penn State in rushing four times; played briefly for Vikings; 25 games with Mets in 1992.

40

Charles (Lefty) Driesell, Norfolk

All-state in basketball at Granby High; set state coaching record with 57 straight wins at Newport News High; coach at Davidson, Maryland and James Madison.

41

Billy Wagner, Tannersville

Holds NCAA strikeout records for career (327) and per nine innings for a season (19.1) at Ferrum; now closer for Astros.

42

Gene McEver, Bristol

Tennessee's first football All-America; scored 21 TDs in 1929.

43

Norm Snead, Newport News

Threw for 30,797 yards and 196 touchdowns in 18-year NFL career with Redskins, Eagles, Vikings, Giants and 49ers.

44

Lawrence Johnson, Chesapeake

Three-time NCAA champion set collegiate record in pole vault in 1996 at Tennessee; set U.S. mark of 19' 2" later that year.

45

Curtis Turner, Roanoke

Had 17 NASCAR victories despite a four-year ban for trying to unionize drivers.

46

Carroll Dale, Wise

All-America at Virginia Tech; 14 NFL seasons; played for Packers in first two Super Bowls.

47

Deacon Phillippe, Rural Retreat

Pitched in majors from 1899 to 1911 for Louisville Colonels and Pirates; 189 victories in 372 major league games.

48

Jack Cloud, Norfolk

Rushed for 2,056 yards as two-time All-America at William & Mary from 1950 to '53; played for Packers and Redskins.

49

Frank Havens, Arlington

Olympic gold medalist in 1952 10,000-meter canoe singles; seven-time national champion.

50

Joe Smith, Norfolk

College player of the year at Maryland in 1995; No. 1 pick in '95 NBA draft with Warriors; now a forward with the Timberwolves.

(no mention of the Vick bros.? )

@dencyguy said:

Though well past his prime at this point, Pelé is credited with significantly increasing public awareness and interest in soccer in the United States. (Previously, a video clip of Pelé scoring with a bicycle kick for the Brazilian National Team was part of the opening video montage of the popular sports TV series ABC's Wide World of Sports and was probably many Americans' initial viewing of the sport.) He led the Cosmos to the 1977 NASL championship, in his third and final season with the club.

via here.

Pele took many many pisses at the Meadowlands...

mz. said:

I'll put my very own New Jersey Rushmore (Vince Lombardi, Bill Parcells, Pele, Carl Lewis) up against any other state's.

If Jersey gets to count Pele, then Cleveland should get to count Jim Thorpe if he ever stopped to take a leak at a rest area there.

Dennis

Cleveland...We're #1!

Check out this list:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/.../ohio/greatest/

Rank Profile

1 Jesse Owens, Cleveland

Broke three world records and tied another in one day at Big Ten track championships in 1935; a year later he enraged Hitler, winning four golds (100 meters, 200, 4x100 relay and long jump) at the Berlin Olympics.

2 Jack Nicklaus, Columbus

Won six Masters, five PGA, four U.S. Open and three British Open titles; five-time PGA player of year (1967, '72, '73, '75, '76).

3 Pete Rose, Cincinnati

Alltime hits leader with 4,256; won three batting titles; was National League MVP in 1973 and World Series MVP in 1975; banned from baseball for life in 1989 for conduct detrimental to the sport while managing Reds.

4 Archie Griffin, Columbus

Three-time All-America at Ohio State and only player to win two Heisman Trophies (1974 and '75); rushed for 5,177 yards.

5 Paul Brown, Massillon

Coached Ohio State to national title in 1942; directed Cleveland Browns to four AAFC titles (from 1946 to '49) and three NFL titles (1950, '54, '55).

6 Mike Schmidt, Dayton

Seventh on alltime home run list with 548; won three NL MVPs and 10 Gold Gloves at third base for Phillies.

7 John Havlicek, Lansing

Played in three NCAA finals at Ohio State (from 1960 to '62); helped lead Celtics to eight titles; 13-time All-Star.

8 George Sisler, Manchester

St. Louis Browns first baseman twice hit .400 (1920, '22); his 257 hits in '20 is still a record.

9 Marion Motley, Canton

Alltime leading AAFC rusher; played from 1946 to '53 for Browns and ran for more than 4,700 yards and 39 TDs.

10 Edwin Moses, Dayton

Won 400-meter hurdles at 1976 and '84 Olympics, and a bronze medal in '88.

11 Don Shula, Plainesville

Won an NFL-record 347 games as a coach; took six Colts and Dolphins teams to Super Bowl and won twice (VII, VIII).

12 Ken Griffey Jr., Cincinnati

Former Moeller High star is 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner; 1997 AL MVP.

13 Roger Staubach, Cincinnati

Won the 1963 Heisman as Navy junior; led Dallas to two Super Bowl titles ('72, '78); led NFC in passing five times ('71, '73, '77, '78, '79).

14 Calvin Jones, Steubenville

Two-sport star in basketball and football at Steubenville High; offensive-defensive guard won 1955 Outland Trophy at Iowa.

15 Phil Niekro, Lansing

Hall of Fame knuckleballer won 324 games over 24 seasons; led the NL in wins twice and in complete games four times.

16 Bobby Knight, Orryville

A member of the Ohio State basketball team that won the NCAA championship in 1960; since 1971 has coached Indiana to three NCAA titles.

17 Woody Hayes, Clifton

Coached Ohio State to five national titles (1954, '57, '61, '68, '70) and four Rose Bowl victories.

18 Rollie Fingers, Steubenville

Hall of Fame pitcher had 341 career saves; won AL MVP and Cy Young awards in 1981 with Brewers; was World Series MVP in '74 with A's.

19 Jerry Lucas, Middletown

Middletown High star played in three NCAA finals at Ohio State; averaged 17 ppg in NBA career.

20 Thurman Munson, Akron

Six-time All-Star as Yankees catcher; won 1976 AL MVP with .302 average and 105 RBIs.

21 Len Dawson, Alliance

Threw for 239 touchdowns and almost 29,000 total yards in 18-year pro career; led Chiefs to win over Vikings in 1970 Super Bowl.

22 Scott Hamilton, Bowling Green

Won gold medal in figure skating at 1984 Olympics; four-time world champion (from '81 to '84).

23 Jack Lambert, Mantua

Quarterback at Mantua High before moving to linebacker at Kent State; seven-time All-Pro led Steelers defense to four NFL championships in the 1970s.

24 Madeline Manning, Cleveland

Won Olympic gold in track in 1968 and silver in '72; was the first American woman to break two minutes in the 800 meters with time of 1:59.8.

25 Willie Davenport, Warren

Defensive back at Southern U; won Olympic gold in 110-meter hurdles in 1968; pusher on U.S. four-man bobsled team in '80.

26 Howard (Hopalong) Cassady, Columbus

Ohio State halfback led Buckeyes to national title in 1954 and won '55 Heisman Trophy.

27 Barry Larkin, Cincinnati

Ten-time All-Star and 1995 NL MVP; led Reds to '90 World Series title.

28 Tony Trabert, Cincinnati

In perhaps the greatest individual year in tennis, won 1955 French, Wimbledon and U.S. championships and 27 other titles.

29 Branch Rickey, Lucasvillle

As Dodgers boss he integrated major leagues in 1947 when he brought up Jackie Robinson.

30 Lou Groza, Martins Ferry

Six-time All-Pro; played in 13 championship games for Cleveland from 1946 to '67.

31 Harold Anderson, Akron

All-Ohio in football and basketball; set state record in low hurdles; coached Toledo and Bowling Green basketball teams for combined 29 seasons.

32 Shirley Fry, Akron

Won 1956 Wimbledon and U.S. singles championships, '51 French and '57 Australian titles, making her, at the time, one of three women to win all the majors.

33 Nate Thurmond, Akron

All-America at Bowling Green in 1963; averaged 15 points over 14-year pro career.

34 James Jeffries, Carroll

World heavyweight champion after just 13 pro fights, held title from 1899 to 1910.

35 Paul Warfield, Warren

A two-way star at Ohio State; played wideout in four NFL title games with Browns between 1964 and '69 and in three Super Bowls with Dolphins.

36 Glenn Davis, Barberton

Got 400-meter-hurdle gold medals in 1956 and '60 Olympics, setting Olympic records both times.

37 Elmer Flick, Bedford

Hit .367 for 1900 Phillies; batted .313 over 13-year career; led AL in triples from 1905 to '07.

38 John Heisman, Cleveland

Credited with introducing center snap; father of forward pass; coached Georgia Tech to three straight undefeated seasons from 1915 to '17.

39 Alan Page, Canton

All-America at Notre Dame; nine-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman led Vikings to four Super Bowls.

40 Larry Csonka, Stow

Broke most of Jim Brown's rushing records at Syracuse; in 11 seasons with Dolphins and Giants, ran for 8,081 yards.

41 Aaron Pryor, Cincinnati

Won WBA junior welterweight belt in 1980 and successfully defended it eight times.

42 Chuck Noll, Cleveland

In 23 seasons coached Steelers to four Super Bowl titles.

43 Rube Marquard, Cleveland

Pitched Giants to 73 wins in three seasons as New York took titles in 1911, '12 and '13.

44 Johnny Kilbane, Cleveland

Held world featherweight crown for 11 years after beating Abe Attell in 1912.

45 Cris Carter, Middleton

All-America at Ohio State; as Vikings receiver set NFL single-season record with 122 catches in 1994.

46 Ezzard Charles, Cincinnati

World heavyweight champion (1950-51); 96-25-1 for career.

47 Dave Wottle, Canton

Ran 1:44.3 in 1972 Olympic trials to equal 800-meter world record, then took gold medal in Munich.

48 Dick Kazmaier, Maumee

Princeton tailback won Heisman and Maxwell trophies in 1951.

49 Gus Johnson, Akron

Six-time NBA All-Star, enjoyed his best season in 1966-67, averaging 20.7 points.

50 Bernie Kosar, Boardman

Quarterbacked University of Miami to 1983 national title; played 12 seasons in the NFL.

Zombo said:

Zombo

C'mon, a joke? I was born in Ohio but I grew up in Jersey.

@dtbh said:

LOL, I like that.

Aloysius for President!

Price

Brown

Feller

Graham or Owens

I'll put my very own New Jersey Rushmore (Vince Lombardi, Bill Parcells, Pele, Carl Lewis) up against any other state's.

@rich4eagle said:

Yeah, we established that after the first reply ... but then added to the parameters.

@atenears said:

Posted by Branson Wright / Plain Dealer Reporter February 09, 2009 10:35AM

Categories: Sports Impact

Reid Brown / The Plain Dealer

ESPN has started an interesting debate called the Mount Rushmore of sports, where fans and the media chose the best players from each state. We all know Ohio has its share of great sports figures, and certainly the state of Ohio can stand up to any state.

But for Starting Blocks, we'd like to know your Mount Rushmore of Cleveland-area sports. You decide your own criteria, but the sports figures need to either be from Northeast Ohio or have played/coached most of their career in this area.

Here is the Northeast Ohio Mount Rushmore of sports, according to Starting Blocks:

Jim Brown, Football

Not only is Jim Brown considered the greatest running back in the history of the NFL, let's just say he was also the greatest football player in the history of the game. When Brown retired from the Cleveland Browns after the 1965 season, he left as the NFL record holder for both single-season (1,863 in 1963) and career rushing (12,312) yards. He also finished his career as the first player to ever reach 100 rushing touchdowns (106).

Paul Brown, Football

Paul Brown is one of the greatest football coaches in history. Browns was successful at every coaching level - high school, college and pros. Brown was a great innovator. He was the first to use intelligence tests for his players and he used a radio transmitter to communicate with players on the field.

Brown was 167-53-8 in Cleveland. He won four All-American Football Conference titles, three NFL championships and had only one losing season in 17 years.

Jesse Owens, Track and Field

A graduate of East Tech High School, Owens became the first American to win four Olympic gold medals in track and field in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. That's the most popular feat, but Owens' greatest achievement was probably during the 1935 Big Ten meet, where he set three world records and tied a fourth ---- in 45 minutes. He equaled the world record for the 100-yard sprint (9.4 seconds) and set world records in the long jump at 26 feet 8¼ inches, (a world record that would last 25 years); the 220-yard (201.2-meter) sprint in 20.7 seconds; and the 220-yard low hurdles, posting a time of 22.6 seconds to become the first person to break 23 seconds.

Bob Feller, Baseball

Bob Feller was the hardest-throwing pitcher during his era of the 1940s and '50s, and many, including Feller, claim he threw even harder than Nolan Ryan (who was clocked at 102 mph). Feller was the first pitcher to win 20 or more games before the age of 21. He's the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter on Opening Day. Feller, the Cleveland Indians leader in career wins (266), led the league in wins six times and led the league in strikeouts seven times. He also led the Indians to their last World Series title (1948).

Done that discussion is over

Not that anybody cares, but if I had to list a Chattanooga Mt Rushmore, it would probably be

Reggie White....Howard HS

John Hannah....Baylor HS

Rick Honneycutt....Ft Oglethorpe HS

Terrell Owens....UTC

Naaa....I don't like Owens....I will add golfer Gibby Gilbert.

Gibby is a dick too....just less of one

@tiffinbacker said:

He is on the state board....this thread is NE Ohio......on the state board I think it was Woody,Owens,Jack, and paul brown

@inspecta said:

I just can't see putting Lebron up there yet, I just don't like the guy, I really don't and hate the idea of him being the face of our city. If he wasn't sucha bandwagoning choad I might feel differently but considering he roots for every front running team in sports (cowboys, Yankees) I just feel no connection to him whatsoever.

Let him get us a championship then take his dirty dirty ass to NY. F him

While I agree with the sentiment that he's a complete frontrunner and is all about himself, if he brings us a championship I only want him to bring us ANOTHER championship.

And then another, and another, and then another.....

If he does opt to go to nyc, THEN I say F him. Until then, he's a CLEVELAND CAVALIER.

I proved this to myself in the mid-1990's: If I can root for Joey Belle, I can root for anyone - as long as they have CLEVELAND on the uniform.