Marvin Bass

Who was Marvin Bass?

Marvin Crosby Bass was the head coach of The College of William & Mary's football team in 1951 and 1952. He compiled an 11–8 overall record. He also coached the South Carolina Gamecocks football team for five seasons.

Bass, a native of Petersburg, Virginia, was a member of the winningest football team in William & Mary history. Bass captained the 1942 Indians, which compiled a 9–1–1 record. He later was an assistant coach at his alma mater when the 1947 Indians were 9–1.

In 1974, Bass was an assistant football coach for Birmingham with the World Football League, a league formed in the early 1970s to rival the National Football League. He became head coach the following year. The league lured such NFL name players as Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield and Jim Kiick. It lasted 18 months, losing US$30,000,000.

In his 37-year coaching career, Bass coached in more football leagues than most coaches of his time. This included stints as head coach for teams in the Southern Conference, Coast Conference, Continental League, and the Canadian League. Bass was also assistant coach with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian League.