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Sept 2004
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 |