Curlin attended
Christian Brothers College (now University) in Memphis and the
Webb School. 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, 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. ==Legacy==