Ernest H. "Rags" Brown was an American college football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at University of Georgia in 1893 and Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost (now known as Duquesne University) in 1896.
In the fall of 1891, Brown accepted an unspecified position at Shortlidge Academy of Media, Pennsylvania[3] and played on the school's football team.[4][5] He acquired his nickname "Rags" in a game that season against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, as recounted years later by The Pittsburg[h] Post:
He was the whole Media team, and went through P.A.C.'s line, though one of his ears was half torn off, and he was compelled to bandage his entire head. These bandages often becoming loose and flying about his head caused the spectators to nickname him "Rags," which has stuck to him ever since.[6]
In 1893, as a graduate student in chemistry and assaying at the University of Georgia,[11] Brown served as the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs football team, compiling a record of 2–2–1. He also played halfback in at least two games, against Georgia Tech[12] and Vanderbilt, getting badly injured in the latter game.[13][14] Brown was the last unpaid head football coach at Georgia.[citation needed] He left the University of Georgia in January 1894.[15]
Brown served as football head coach for the Pittsburgh College of the Holy Ghost (later renamed Duquesne University) for one season in 1896.[1][18] He also played for the team as a player-coach.[19] At the time, players on the team were not limited to students of the college.[18] Duquesne University credits its 1896 team with a 12–1 record.[18]
Grove City College lists its head football coach in 1897 as "Rags" Brown, ascribing to him a record of 5–1–1.[20] The Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette, however, stated that year that Grove City's coach was former Princeton player Harry Brown;[21] the New Castle News similarly noted that Grove City's Brown, the team's coach and fullback,[22] formerly played end at Princeton.[23]
^"Two Men Missing". The Pittsburg Press. October 15, 1892. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ab"Four to Nothing". The Pittsburg Press. November 13, 1892. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com. Rugs [sic] Brown was on the card to play half back, but as he was just out of a sick bed Bert Aull played half back in his place until he was injured, when the Johnstown man was called upon to take his place, and soon was taking a prominent part in all the scrimmages.
^"Vanderbilts Won". The Atlanta Constitution. November 12, 1893. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Personal". The Red and Black. Athens, GA. January 20, 1894. p. 3 – via Georgia Historic Newspapers. Ernest Brown, who was so badly hurt in the game of foot ball in Nashville, has about recovered.
^"Mr. Ernest Brown..."The Red and Black. Athens, GA. January 20, 1894. p. 4 – via Georgia Historic Newspapers.
^"Too Much for Duquesne". The Sunday Chronicle. Chicago. November 10, 1895. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Amateur Sports". The Pittsburg Press. September 21, 1896. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
