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Third & Shorts

Divisional Class Honored at Hall of Fame

Since 1961, 61 All-Americas and 26 coaches have been recognized for college football’s highest honor as members of the Divisional Class. This year’s enshrinement took place at the Hall of Fame in South Bend in mid-August. Players recognized included Harold Davis of Westminster (PA), Darrell Green of Texas A & I, Garney Henley of Huron (SD), Jackie Hunt of Marshall (WV), Dan Ross of Northeastern (MA), and William Stromberg of Johns Hopkins (MD).

Three outstanding coaches were honored. They included Thomas Beck of Illinois Benedictine, Elmhurst and Grand Valley State who compiled an overall record of 137-52-1; Charlie Richard of Baker (KS) who had a composite 123-28-1 record; and Dick Strahm of Findlay (OH) who posted a 178-59-5 mark.

Beck guided two slumping programs, Illinois Benedictine and Elmhurst to new heights and returned Grand Valley State to past glory. Prior to his arrival, Illinois Benedictine had recorded 18 consecutive losing seasons. In Beck’s five years as head coach, the Ravens went 37-12-1, ranked in the national top 10 twice, and twice led the nation in total offense. Elmhurst had only two winning seasons in its last 23 when Beck arrived in 1976. In eight seasons, the Blue Jays went 50-22 and won two conference titles. Grand Valley State was coming off an 0-10 season when Beck made his final collegiate coaching stop. In six seasons, the Lakers went 50-18, with two conference titles and two national playoff appearances.

Coach Richard compiled an NAIA winning percentage of .813 while at Baker University. In 14 seasons he guided the Wildcats to 11 shared or conference titles, 10 NAIA National Playoff appearances and a victory in the 1985 Sunflower Bowl. Possessing the best winning percentage in school history, Richard coached 32 all-Americas and 25 Academic All-Americas.

Another successful NAIA Coach, Dick Strahm lifted the University of Findlay football program to national prominence in his two decades at the helm. The winningest coach in school history, Strahm recorded a remarkable 22 winning campaigns in 23 seasons. He was named NAIA District Coach of the Year 12 times, Mid-state Football Association Coach of the Year twice and NAIA’s National Coach of the Year four times.

College Football Transactions:

Head Coaches - Minnesota State Mankato head coach Clarence Holley resigned after two seasons.

Assistants - Dave Scott was appointed as tight ends and assistant special teams coach, and Lyle Hemphill was selected as a graduate assistant coach at Delaware. Scott, was formerly a defensive assistant coach with the program from 1998 to 2000... McMurry promoted Tommy Sauceda to assistant head coach, Joel Baker to offensive coordinator and Donny Gray to special teams coordinator... Wisconsin-Stevens Point tabbed Dave Taynor as offensive line coach to replace Kevin Deates. For the past two years, Taynor, who also will serve as director of strength and conditioning, has fulfilled similar roles at Culver-Stockton...Greg Sheeler was added as defensive backs coach and Pat Callahan was added as receivers coach at Bridgewater State... Colorado named Craig Bray as defensive backs coach.
(Courtesy: NCAA News)

Please send all coaching transactions – high school, college, or professional – to AFM’s Managing Editor Rex Lardner: rlardner@lcclark.com