John Kitzmiller (November. 25, 1904 – April 26, 1986) followed football coach John McEwan from West Point to the University of Oregon in 1926. Kitzmiller was just about to accept his appointment to the USMA but had already bonded with his future coach. John headed West and became a key member of a rising Webfoot program.
McEwan and Kitzmiller shared a warm sense of humor, which bonded the two, and together they led the Ducks to national prominence. Kitzmiller was given the nickname the “Flying Dutchman” for his spectacular tackles. He was a lean six-foot 165-pound offensive and defensive back. The Dutchman scored 14 touchdowns over his college career. Between 1928-1930, the Ducks had a 23-7 record, two of the games were lost without an injured Kitzmiller. He was named All-Pacific Coast Conference defensive back and offensive back twice. During his senior year he earned the 2nd-team All-America honors.
After U of O, Kitzmiller played one season as fullback in 1931 with the NY Giants. He returned to University of Oregon as an assistant football coach from 1932-1935.
During World War II rolled around, Kitzmiller served a tour in India as a captain in the U.S. Army Air Force and returned to Oregon again to establish his own manufacturing company in the Willamette valley. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969 and the University of Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.