Paul Witmer "Red" Loudon (February 7, 1892 – December 1, 1953) was an American athlete and sports coach. After playing multiple sports in college for Dartmouth, Loudon started a coaching career, spending several years with his alma mater as well as the College of St. Thomas (now known as the University of St. Thomas) and the University of Minnesota. He later served as the president of several hockey leagues.
Early life and education
Loudon was born on February 7, 1892, and grew up in Troy, New York. He attended Dartmouth College, starring in football, baseball, and basketball. He played from 1910 to 1913 at end in football and was "regarded as one of the greatest ends in the history of the gridiron sport at the Hanover [Dartmouth] school," winning All-American honors by Walter Camp. He was described by several newspapers as a "human battering ram."
As a junior, Loudon was named team captain in both basketball and baseball. As a senior in football, Loudon was listed as a first-team All-American in an article published by The Washington Times.
After graduating, Loudon was given the Barrett Award, awarded to the best all-around student-athletes at Dartmouth. His name was later inscribed on the award. In his time with the school, Loudon "was chosen by his fellow students to nearly every place of honor in their power to give."
Loudon played at end for the "Annex football eleven of New Haven" in their December 1914 game against the Washington Glee Club.
Coaching career
In June 1914, Loudon was named head basketball coach as well as assistant football coach at Dartmouth. He later became the freshman baseball coach.
After his first season at Dartmouth, it was reported that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) had offered Loudon a contract to be athletic director. The school later denied the report.
In February 1916, Loudon severed his relations with Dartmouth to enter the banking business in Minneapolis. In April, it was announced by Reverend John Dunphy that Loudon had accepted a position as head football coach at the College of St. Thomas (now known as the University of St. Thomas) in Minnesota. He was the successor to Earle T. Pickering. Loudon, who "believe[d] in preparedness," started the football practices that month, which was the first time in school history that the practices started in spring. A six-game schedule was announced, with games against North Dakota, North Dakota Agricultural, Marquette, DePaul, Macalester, and St. Joseph's. In September, he was called to be an artilleryman at Fort Snelling. He was succeeded by Bob Saxton as St. Thomas coach.
It was believed that Loudon was willing to coach the 1917 St. Thomas football team; however, George Keogan ultimately coached the Cadets that year.
In 1919, Loudon returned to his alma mater, Dartmouth, to become an assistant coach. After the football season ended, he returned to Minnesota to serve as the basketball coach at St. Thomas. He later came back to Dartmouth as ends coach for the 1920 football season.
In the 1921–1922 basketball season, Loudon coached Washburn-Crosby, leading them to the Minneapolis city championship game against Emerson.
Loudon started the training season with Dartmouth in 1922, but left in September to be named head assistant football coach at the University of Minnesota. Associated Press (AP) reports stated that he was going to coach the ends and assist with the backfield. An October report in The Times stated that he was also coaching the wings. Loudon helped Minnesota compile a record of 3–3–1 in his first year with the team. In July 1923, he resigned, stating he wanted to devote full time to his business affairs. "I dislike very much to give up my football duties at Minnesota for football is a hobby with me and I enjoy coaching," Loudon said. "My business has become so heavy, however, that I cannot spare the time necessary for coaching and scouting football games." Athletic director Fred Luehring said "We will miss Paul Loudon very much because he is an excellent coach and rendered valuable services to us last fall."
In the next several years, Loudon took "time out" from his business at certain times to assist in coaching his alma mater, Dartmouth College, in football.