Eli Abbott

Abbott was born in Mississippi in 1869. He was the son of James O. and Emily Abbott, both of whom were Mississippi natives.^[1] At the time of the 1880 United States Census, Abbott was living with his parents and three brothers in Okolona, Mississippi.^[2]

Abbott attended the University of Alabama and played at tackle on Alabama's inaugural football team in 1892. He later attended the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a bachelor of science degree in 1896. He played varsity football and baseball at Penn.^[3]

He served as the head football coach at the University of Alabama from 1893 to 1895 and again in 1902, compiling a career record of 7–13.^[4] He also coached the baseball team at Alabama in 1896, posting a 5–5 record.

Abbott married Idah (or Ada) Hausman in September 1896.^[5] At the time of the 1910 United States Census, Abbott was living in Leflore County, Mississippi, working as a civil engineer. He and his wife had three sons, Eli, Jr., Charles and Frank. His wife and all three sons were born in Alabama.^[6] At the time of the 1930 United States Census, Abbott was living in Greenwood, Mississippi with his wife, Ada, and their son Frank. His occupation was listed as a civil engineer with a general practice.^[7] Abbott was employed as the city engineer in Greenwood for many years and remained a resident of that city for the remainder of his life. He died at Greenwood in February 1943 at age 73.^[8][9]

• List of college football head coaches with non-consecutive tenure