Phil Handler was an American football player and coach who had a successful career in both college and professional football. He played as a halfback and quarterback for the University of Illinois from 1929 to 1931, where he was a two-time All-American and helped lead the team to a national championship in 1929.
After college, Handler played professionally for several teams in the National Football League (NFL) and the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). He played for the Chicago Cardinals from 1932 to 1934, the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1935, and the Cleveland Rams from 1936 to 1937. He then played for the Los Angeles Bulldogs in the Pacific Coast Professional Football League in 1938 before returning to the NFL to play for the Detroit Lions from 1939 to 1942.
Handler's coaching career began in 1945 when he became the head coach of the Chicago Rockets in the AAFC. He coached the team for two seasons before moving on to become an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. He was part of the Rams' coaching staff when they won the NFL championship in 1951.
Handler's coaching career continued after his time with the Rams. He was the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1954 to 1956, where he led the team to their first winning season in a decade. He then became an assistant coach for the New York Giants from 1957 to 1960, where he helped the team win the NFL championship in 1958.
Throughout his career, Handler was known for his innovative offensive strategies and his ability to develop young players. He was also known for his fiery personality and his willingness to stand up to players and management when he felt it was necessary.
Overall, Phil Handler had a successful career in both playing and coaching football. He was a talented player who helped lead his college team to a national championship and played for several professional teams. He then went on to have a successful coaching career, where he helped lead teams to championships and was known for his innovative strategies and coaching style.
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