Schwartz, Former Stanford Coach, Irish Back, Dies

DANVILLE, Calif. —  Marchmont (Marchie) Schwartz, a two-time All-America running back at Notre Dame who became head football coach at Stanford, died Thursday of heart failure.

Schwartz, 82, was hospitalized in nearby Walnut Creek after suffering a heart attack about two weeks ago, according to John Schwartz, one of his sons.

The former Notre Dame player was a 5-foot-10, 167-pound back. He starred on the 1930 undefeated national championship team coached by Knute Rockne, and he also earned All-America honors in 1931. He set a school single-season record of 960 yards rushing.

In 1974, Schwartz was named to the College Football Hall of Fame.

The native of New Orleans became Stanford coach in 1942, and his first team had a 6-4 record. The football program was suspended for three seasons during World War II.

Schwartz coached the Indians in their first five post-war seasons, retiring after the team went 5-3-2 in 1950 to take a job with a title company.

“In later years, he talked about how the game had changed, about how open the passing game had become,” John Schwartz recalled. “And he was amazed at the escalation of the professional game and its salaries.”

In six seasons at Stanford, Schwartz had a 28-28-4 record. His 1947 team was 0-9, and his best season record was 7-3-1 in 1949.

Survivors include his wife, Rosemarie, of Danville, three sons and two daughters.