In 1921, he was selected to the Ohio State football all-time team at second-team halfback behind Chic Harley and Pete Stinchcomb.

Willaman was the 13th head football coach for the Iowa State University Cyclones, and held that position for four seasons, from 1922 until 1925.

At the time Willaman came to Iowa State, the school had not had much success in football; they had employed three head coaches in the prior three years.

[2] When Willaman first arrived at Iowa state, he brought with him six of his East Tech players, including an African-American named Jack Trice.

Immediately following, Notre Dame's coach Knute Rockne informed Ohio State that he was interested in the position.

Despite fielding many All-American players, including the legendary Wes Fesler, Ohio State never won a Big Ten Conference title under Willaman.

Yielding to pressure, Willaman resigned after the 1933 season to take the head coaching position at Western Reserve University.

[3] He set up what would be the last matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Western Reserve Red Cats, which was held at League Park.

[4] Willaman's coaching career at Western Reserve was tragically cut short, when he died following an emergency operation on August 18, 1935.