
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 16, 1995                   TAG: 9511160051
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

``THE PLAYING COACH'' DIES IN CALIFORNIA

Les Horvath, a multipurpose back at Ohio State who won the Heisman Trophy in 1944, died of what appear to be natural causes at his home in Glendale, Calif., a police detective said. He was 74.

Horvath, nicknamed ``the Playing Coach'' for his versatility on the field, was the first of four Ohio State players to win the Heisman, leading the Buckeyes to a 9-0 record and a No.2 ranking in the final AP poll in 1944.

He received 412 points in the Heisman balloting, edging the Army inside-outside duo of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis.

Horvath was selected to the National Football Hall of Fame in 1969 and to the Ohio State Sports Hall of Fame in 1977.

by CNB