Larry Kehres

Larry Kehres is an American former college football coach renowned for building a historic dynasty with the Mount Union Purple Raiders. Over 27 seasons as head coach, he led the program to an unprecedented 11 NCAA Division III national championships and compiled a staggering .929 winning percentage, the highest in college football history. His tenure transformed the small Alliance, Ohio institution into a national powerhouse and established a standard of sustained excellence unmatched in the sport. Kehres retired from active coaching in 2012 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

Early life and education

Born in Diamond, Ohio, he was a multi-sport standout at Southeast High School (Ravenna, Ohio). He then attended Mount Union College, where he played quarterback for the Mount Union Purple Raiders under coach Ken Wable. A team captain, he earned a bachelor's degree in health and physical education in 1972. He later received a master's degree from the University of Akron in 1974, which prepared him for a career in coaching and education.

Coaching career

He began his coaching career in 1974 as an assistant at his alma mater, serving under Wable for over a decade and learning the foundations of the program. Appointed head coach in 1986, he quickly implemented a sophisticated, pass-oriented offensive system that revolutionized NCAA Division III football. His teams, competing in the Ohio Athletic Conference, became known for their precision, discipline, and relentless competitiveness. The dynasty's championship era began with the 1993 title, followed by a record three-peat from 1996 to 1998 and another three-peat from 2000 to 2002, with victories often coming in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. Key rivals during his era included the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and University of Mary Hardin–Baylor. He mentored numerous future coaches, including his successor, Vince Kehres, and notable players like Pierre Garçon and Cecil Shorts III.

Head coaching record

His career head coaching record at Mount Union stands at 332 wins, 24 losses, and 3 ties. His teams won 21 Ohio Athletic Conference championships and made 18 appearances in the NCAA Division III national championship game. The Purple Raiders experienced two remarkable winning streaks under his guidance: a 55-game streak from 1996 to 1999 and a later 54-game streak from 2005 to 2008. His final season in 2012 culminated in his 11th national title, a victory over St. Thomas.

Legacy and honors

He is widely considered the most successful coach in the history of college football by winning percentage. His 11 national titles are the most by any head coach in NCAA football history. His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017 cemented his legendary status. He received the AFCA Coach of the Year award 10 times and was a frequent recipient of the Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honor. The sustained success of the Mount Union Purple Raiders program, continued under his son and former assistant Vince Kehres, is a direct testament to the culture and systems he established. The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl became a familiar stage for his teams, and his influence is seen across the coaching ranks of NCAA Division III.

Personal life

He and his wife, Linda, have two children, including son Vince Kehres, who succeeded him as head coach at Mount Union. He remains affiliated with the university in an emeritus role. A dedicated educator, he also taught classes in the Health and Physical Education department at Mount Union throughout much of his coaching tenure. His roots remain in Ohio, and he is a noted figure in the communities of Alliance and Stark County, Ohio.

Category:Mount Union Purple Raiders football coaches Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees Category:American football quarterbacks