Head Coach Roger Harring

Roger Harring finished his 28th season as head coach of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football program, and his accomplishments during his career have put him in the company of the winningest coaches in college football history.

His numbers support such a claim. Harring surpassed the 200-win milestone in 1993 to become the 25th coach in college football history to do so, and only the 14th in that category to record all his victories at one institution.

Harring's 28 seasons as a head coach is surpassed in years by only four other active NCAA III coaches. One can not enjoy this longevity without being successful--very successful. He has posted a 243-64-7 during his reign of the UW-L football program, which ranks third in total victories and sixth in winning percentage(.785) among active NCAA III coaches. In addition, he ranks 12th on the all-time NCAA victories list.

"Our mental approach is that if we play well, good things always seem to happen to UW-La Crosse teams, and that has been kind of our legacy," Harring said. "Playing well, playing together and having fun--that has been the legacy."

Harring and his staff have built a program few institutions can equal. The Eagles won their first NCAA III football national championship in 1992 and added another one in 1995 to give Harring his third national title during his tenure. UW-L won the NAIA II title in 1985 to become the only school in college football to win an NAIA II title and an NCAA III title.

Furthermore, the Eagles have made 11 appearances to post-season in the last 14 years, totaling 13 playoff appearances during the Harring era. UW-L is 13-4 in NCAA post-season play. In the 1990s, the Eagles have a 75-9-1 (.888), making UW-L the second-winningest program in all of Division III football.

Harring gives much of the credit for his success to a knowledgeable and experienced coaching staff, which guided the Eagles to the NCAA III championship in 1992 with Harring sidelined by the heart surgery. "When Coach Christensen stepped in and took the reins when I was down and did a great job, along with the other coaches, which shows the stability and confidence the kids had in the coaches," Harring said. "You have to have the people on your staff who are knowledgeable and willing to dedicate themselves to the UW-La Crosse tradition."

But the winning attitude and positive approach clearly present in the UW-L football program starts at the top with the head coach. "We use an upbeat, positive approach to working with people," Harring said. "We recruit talented student-athletes and retain them by treating them with respect as individuals instead of a jersey number.

"The coaching staff has made good judgments on ability and talent rather than on superficial statistics," he continued. "We attract kids that want the challenge, academically and athletically, at UW-La Crosse."

Under Harring the Eagles have placed first or second in the Wisconsin State University Conference 23 times, winning the title 14 times, which is more titles than any football coach in WSUC history.

"If you have student-athletes that play well together; have concern for each other; have a good work ethic and are having fun, that's what is important," Harring said. "The fun of playing the game is really important for team chemistry. They should not be worried about wins and losses. They should be concerned about playing hard and playing together--that's all we ask."

Harring, a native of Green Bay, Wis., has received numerous awards and honors during his career. In 1995, he received several national coach of the year honors including the prestigious American Football Coaches Association Division III award. He was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics District Hall of Fame in 1989, the same year he was enshrined into the UW-La Crosse Wall of Fame. In 1992 and '95 he was chosen as the Chevrolet Division III Coach of the Year. On the conference level, he is the all-time winningest conference coach, boasting a 171-42-6 record against league opponents. For his success, he has been named WSUC Coach of the Year numerous times with the most recent award coming in 1996.

In addition, he has coached abroad in Italy, guiding two teams to the semifinals in their national playoffs. Under his tutelage, the 1988 Bologna Doves finished 12-0 during the regular season. In 1989, Harring coached the Pearo Angels to the Italian playoffs and reached the semifinals.

A 1958 alum, Harring played offensive line and linebacker for UW-L as an undergraduate during the 1950s. He remained at UW-L to earn his master's degree in 1962. He coached at Ladysmith and Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High Schools before returning to UW-L to launch his college coaching career.

Roland Christensen, the defensive coordinator, is in his 36th season on the coaching staff. He is considered by his peers as one of the best developers of linebackers at the NCAA III level. His strategic expertise, game preparation and ability to adapt during a game has led to UW-L's reputation as a stingy, hard-hitting defense. Under his guidance, the Eagles' defense has ranked in the top two in the WSUC for the past two decades. He is credited with developing more all-conference and All-American linebackers than any other conference school.

Barry Schockmel, the defensive secondary coach, is in his 28th season on the football staff. He has guided the development of seven players who received tryouts with professional teams, the most of any position. Schockmel enjoyed a brilliant playing career at UW-L during the mid-60s. He rushed for 828 yards and is among the career leaders in interceptions with 16. He enters the UW-L Wall of Fame in 1996.

Offensive Coordinator Larry Terry is back for his 10th season. His philosophy of a balanced attack has produced offenses which have ranked first in the WIAC in four of the last six seasons.

Also back for his 10th season is defensive line coach Tony Christnovich. Also a UW-L graduate and former player under Harring, Christnovich was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1970.

Mike Anderson is in his third season on the Eagles' staff. He will serve as backfield and receiver coach. Anderson coached for six seasons at Central High School in La Crosse and experienced outstanding success. He compiled a 27-3 conference record, claiming five league championships. Anderson led the Red Raiders to five appearances in post-season play and made it to the state semi-finals twice. He is a 1973 graduate of UW-Eau Claire, where he was a three-time letter-winner in football.

Dave Bauer is in his secønd season on the coaching staff. He works with the offensive line, where he starred for the Eagles in the early 90s. Bauer was the starting center for the 1992 NCAA III championship squad.

Other UW-La Crosse Pages

Division III Links, Polls, Stats, and News

Divison III Football Page
Division III Individual Team Pages
CBS SportsLine USA Page
1996 Sports Network USA Division III Football Poll
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Football Gazette Poll
Columbus Multimedia TER Division III poll
USA Today's Latest Polls (all divisions)
College Football Scores
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La Crosse Tribune Sports articles.
1995 Division III Football Stats

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