George Marshall Varnell (August 10, 1882 – February 4, 1967) was an American track and field athlete, Gonzaga University's first basketball coach, a college football player, coach, and official, who refereed a record-setting eight Rose Bowl games, and sports editor of two major Pacific Northwest newspapers.

He played football for coach Amos Alonzo Stagg at the University of Chicago in 1904 and also at Kentucky University—now known as Transylvania University—in 1904.

Varnell joined the staff of the Spokane Daily Chronicle in 1908, and later became sports editor for the newspaper.

In Spokane, he helped create Gonzaga College's basketball program, and coached the team for two seasons.

During his time in Seattle, Varnell was extremely supportive of Washington Huskies rowing and covered their squad for decades, including the 1936 team that won a gold medal in the Olympics in Germany.