Robert "Bob" Whelan teamed with quarterback Harry Agganis to give Boston University its best teams in the late 40s. A shifty halfback, Whelan holds the Terrier single-game rushing record of 240 yards versus Syracuse in 1949. The Lynn, Massachusetts, native and Lynn English High School graduate is also second in career punting average (38.0) behind Agganis.
Whelan starred under head coach Buff Donelli as a halfback and defensive back as a sophomore, and earned All-New England and All-East honors as a junior. He rushed for 711 yards that year, fourth-best in Boston University history, and averaged a phenomenal 6.8 yards per carry as the Terriers finished 6-2. His nine touchdowns and six points after touchdown gave him 60 points, third best in Boston University annals.
Whelan sustained a leg injury in the first game of his senior year, but still managed to play in every game. He finished his career with career records in rushing attempts and yards (208 for 1047).
The leg injury kept Whelan from playing professionally with the San Francisco 49ers, so he devoted his energies to coaching. After a few years at Athol and Clinton High Schools, he became one of the most successful coaches in the state at Natick High.
He joined the Natick program in 1958 as track coach and football line coach, and became director of health and physical education in 1964.
After his track squad won the 1968 state title, Whelan received the Varsity Club's Harry Cleverly Memorial Award as Boston University's Alumni Coach of the Year. In 1974, he took over the head coaching job for the Natick football team and led his team to a state championship in Division I.
His son, Timmy, was honored as Tufts University's outstanding offensive back in 1974, and his stepson Garry was the Terriers' MVP in 1974 as a linebacker.
