Class of 1991
Born: November 4, 1903 in Weatherford, Oklahoma Territory
Category: Wrestling
The son of Swedish immigrants, Umbach went on to have an illustrious coaching career at Auburn. After coaching 14 years in Oklahoma high schools, Umbach joined the football staff of his former college coach, Carl Voyles, at Auburn University in 1944. Beginning in 1946, and for the next 27 years, Umbach coached the wrestling team. He produced 25 championship teams in the Southeastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association. Umbach’s Auburn Tigers won 249 dual meets, lost only 28, and tied five. During this period, he coached 127 conference champions and four national champions. Umbach’s career was highlighted by Auburn University hosting the 1971 NCAA Wrestling Championship. An outstanding individual, Swede Umbach was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1981.
