Zachary Henry Curlin[1] (January 31, 1890 – June 3, 1970) was an American football and basketball player and coach.
Curlin attended Christian Brothers College (now University) in Memphis and the Webb School.[2] and played piano in the band. He was a halfback and quarterback on Dan McGugin's Vanderbilt Commodores football teams from 1910 to 1913, and the starting quarterback in 1912 and 1913, leading Vandy to an SIAA title in 1912. He made kicks on both Harvard and Michigan. Curlin was pulled for his backup Rabbi Robbins in Vanderbilt's largest win its history,[3] a 105–0 win over Bethel in 1912, the muddy conditions better suited to the other's talents. Curlin later served as the Memphis Tigers men's basketball coach for many years.
Curlin was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 1974 and a street on the south side of the university's campus bears his name. An award is given annually in his name that recognizes the top male student-athlete at the University of Memphis that possesses his "drive, enthusiasm and determination for academics and athletics while maintaining a concern for others."