John W. Gill (November 27, 1898 – March 4, 1997) was an American football coach. Gill graduated from Western State Teachers College (now known as Western Michigan University) in 1924 and became an assistant football coach under head coach Mike Gary. At the time of the 1930 United States Census, Gill was living in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and his occupation was listed as a teacher at a college. In 1939, Gill recommended that the Western Michigan athletic teams change their mascot from "Hilltoppers" to "Broncos," and his suggestion was adopted by the school. Gill was awarded $10,000 for submitting the team's nickname, funds which he donated to the Waldo Stadium building fund. He was the head football coach at Western Michigan University for 11 years from 1942 to 1952. He compiled a record of 50–