The 1900 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1900 Western Conference football season. In their first and only season under head coach Langdon Lea, the team compiled a 7–2–1 record (3–2 against conference opponents), finished fourth in the Western Conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 117 to 55. Michigan opened the season with six wins, but went 1–2–1 in the final four games, including losses to Iowa and Chicago.
Right end Neil Snow was the captain of the 1900 team. Right halfback Daniel Woodard was the team's leading scorer with 25 points on five touchdowns (five points each). Fullback Everett Sweeley added 22 points on two touchdowns (both long kickoff returns), seven kicks for goal after touchdown (one point each), and a field goal (five points). Tackle Hugh White also had 20 points on four touchdowns.
After the 1900 season, Langdon Lea left Michigan to become the head coach at his alma mater, Princeton. Michigan hired Fielding H. Yost as its head football coach for the 1901 season.
Schedule
Season summary
Pre-season
In 1900, Michigan hired Langdon Lea, who had played for Princeton from 1892 to 1895, as its head football coach. A newspaper reported on expectations raised by his hiring: "Coach Langdon Lea, the famous Princetonian, is expected to revolutionize affairs among the Wolverines and to raise the team to its old standing. The great trouble in the past few years has been the lack of efficient coaching, and it is hoped that Lea will supply that necessary." Another newspaper reported on the hiring of Lea away from Princeton this way: "Langdon Lea, better known as 'Biffy,' is to coach the Michigan university team. This practice of putting well known eastern football players in charge of the teams of western universities has certainly improved the standard of play, and in many instances has often wrought havoc with the alma maters of the coaches. Some years ago the big eastern colleges tried to prevent their graduates from accepting positions as coaches on other teams, but the fat salaries offered were inducements too great to be cast aside."
Lea brought with him Martin V. Bergen, another Princeton alumnus, as his assistant coach in charge of the backs.
Training camp got underway on approximately September 25 with coaches Lea and Bergen. Lea expressed concern with the team's lack of depth at the tackle, guard, and center positions.
Week 1: Hillsdale
On September 29, 1900, Michigan opened its season with a 29–0 victory over in front of a crowd of approximately 300 members of the Athletic Association at Regents Field in Ann Arbor. The game was played in two halves of 10 minutes. The whole game lasted approximately 30 minutes.
Michigan scored five touchdowns (worth five points each) and kicked four goals from touchdown (worth one point each). The touchdowns were scored by the left halfback Edward Everett Webber, right halfback Daniel Woodard (two), left end Charles Woodhams, and fullback Everett Sweeley. The goals were kicked by Webber (three) and Sweeley. Woodhams blocked a Hillsdale punt and recovered it over the goal line for his touchdown. Sweeley's touchdown was scored on a 100-yard kickoff return.
After the game, Michigan coach Langdon Lea conducted a football tutorial for both the Michigan and Hillsdale players.
Week 2: Kalamazoo
On October 6, 1900, Michigan defeated by an 11–0 score at Regents Field in Ann Arbor. On the opening kickoff, Everett Sweeley took the ball at the five-yard line and ran 105 yards (the field was 110 yards in 1900) for a touchdown behind excellent interference from his Michigan teammates, including Neil Snow. Edward Everett Webber kicked the goal from touchdown to give Michigan a 6–0 lead. In the second half, Hugh White scored Michigan's second touchdown on a two-yard run, and Snow missed the kick for goal from touchdown. Ned Begle had a 60-yard punt for Michigan. The game was played in 15-minute halves.