UW-River Falls football coach John O'Grady will retire at the end
of the 2010 season. O'Grady, 56, informed the Falcons after
Monday's practice at Ramer Field.
The Falcons open the season on Thursday at Ohio Northern.
"Most of my adult life, including four years as a player, five
years as a volunteer coach and of course 22 seasons as the head
coach has been spent at this university," said O'Grady in a
statement. "For the vast majority of my career I have had a passion
for coaching. I still do, but I am not passionate about all of the
other aspects of my job that do not have much to do with coaching.
As a result it is time for me to go. ...
"To all of our players throughout my career, I want to say thank
you! Through both good and bad times your work ethic and
achievements have impacted me in a very substantial way. You have
all enriched my life.
"I have decided to announce this decision at this time because I
believe it is best for our football program. It will give our
athletic director a head start on the hiring process so that a new
head coach can be named as quickly as possible once our season
ends."
O'Grady's last day on campus will be Dec. 31, 2010.
"John's dedication and loyalty to the University of Wisconsin-River
Falls, the football program and the young men who played the game
is extraordinary," said Falcon athletic director Roger Ternes. "His
legacy at UWRF will go down in history along with former great
coaches like Mike Farley and Fran Polsfoot. His tenure as the head
football coach at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls is the
longest in school history, and we thank him for his exceptional
leadership."
O'Grady played for the Falcons as a linebacker from 1972-75 and
earned four letters. He was the team's captain and voted most
dedicated in 1975 when the Falcons won their first WIAC title in 18
years.
He was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association
Hall of Fame on April 5, 2008. He was honored with the prestigious
award based on a combination of his coaching record, longevity and
service to the WFCA.
O'Grady is seventh among WIAC coaches all-time in wins. In WIAC
play, O'Grady has led the Falcons to one first place finish (1998),
three second-place finishes (1994, 1995, 1996) and five third place
finishes (1989, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2001). He has had winning seasons
in 10 of his 21 seasons.
In 1998, the Falcons surprised most WIAC observers. The team
finished 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the WIAC, which was good for a tie
for first place. In 1996 the team finished 9-2 overall and lost to
UW-La Crosse (44-0) in the first round of the NCAA playoffs, which
were then 16 teams. In 1995 the Falcons were 9-3 overall. The nine
wins tied the school record. In the NCAA playoffs, the Falcons beat
Central (10-7) but then lost to La Crosse (28-14).
O'Grady was named the 1995 WIAC Coach of the Year. His teams have
compiled a 72-68-3 record in WIAC play.
He got his start at UW-River Falls as an assistant coach of
linebackers, secondary and special teams from 1976-80. From 1981-82
O'Grady joined the Badgers as a part-time assistant coach for the
UW-Madison. While there, he worked with tight ends and special
teams. He would return to Madison for two more seasons in 1985 and
work as an offensive line coach and special teams coordinator. He
had a tenure at Kent State from 1983-84 as the offensive
coordinator and the special teams coordinator. He also spent time
working with the team's offensive line. He coached for two years at
Miami (Ohio) as an offensive line coach and special teams
coordinator (1987-88).
UW-River Falls coach to retire
Aug 30, 2010