Frank “Butch” Larson

Frank “Butch” Larson was born in Duluth on May 30, 1912. He attended Duluth Denfeld High School and graduated in 1930, then attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a star end from 1932-1934 and earned All-American honors in both 1933 and 1934. He began his coaching career at Duluth Central High School in 1936, and during his six-year tenure his teams compiled a 32-16-0 record. In 1942 he entered the Army Air Force and served until 1945. He then coached Duluth Junior College to three undefeated seasons from 1946-1948, and his 1948 team played in the Junior College Rose Bowl. He next became head coach of the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the 1949 and 1950 seasons, and his 1950 team went 14-2 and lost in the Grey Cup title game. After being out of football in 1951, he became head coach of the International Falls Broncos in 1952 and remained there for the next 22 seasons. He coached the Broncos to eight Iron Range Conference championships, a 24-game winning streak, and a state championship in 1954, and his Bronco teams compiled a 126-61-6 record. His overall career high school record was 158-77-6. He was inducted into the Duluth Denfeld High School Hall of Fame in 1966, the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1977, the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Hall of Fame in 1982, the University of Minnesota Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Bronco Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012. Frank “Butch” Larson died on September 3, 1983, at the age of 71.

International Falls, Minnesota · United States