Wall of Fame
Roger Harring served as head football coach at UW-La Crosse for 31 years - a run that last from 1969 until his retiring after the 1999 season. He posted a 261-75-7 record during his tenure at UWL, winning three national championships. His 261 victories ranked 17th in the history of college football at any level and fifth among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III coaches entering the 2018 season. The 261 victories are the most in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) history.
The Eagles won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II title in 1985 and their first NCAA Division III national championship in 1992 to become the first school in college football to win an NAIA II title and an NCAA III title. The program added another NCAA III Championship in 1995. In addition, the Eagles made 14 playoff appearances during Harring's career, compiling an overall record of 23-11, including 13-5 in NCAA III post-season play.
The program placed first or second in the WIAC 25 times under Harring, winning the title 15 seasons. He finished with a 182-44-7 record against conference opponents and was named the WIAC Coach of the Year seven times (1982, 1989, 1991-93, 1996, 1999). Harring was inducted into the inaugural WIAC Hall of Fame and was selected the WIAC Football All-TIme Coach in conjunction with the conference's Centennial Celebration. He was named the NAIA District Coach of the Year four seasons.Â
UWL earned 250 all-conference honors under Harring, including seven player of the year awards. A total of 89 All-America honors were earned under Harring, including 30 first team selections. Six players were drafted by National Football League teams.
A native of Green Bay, Wis., Harring has received numerous awards and honors during his career. In 1992 and 1995 he was chosen as the national Chevrolet Division III Coach of the Year. In 1995, he also received the Division III Coach of the Year honor from his peers in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
He was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005 and inducted into the NAIA District Hall of Fame in 1989, the same year he was enshrined into the UWL Wall of Fame. In 1998, he was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches' Association Hall of Fame. And in 1999, Harring was enshrined into the Wisconsin Rapids High School Hall of Fame.
In spring 1987, Harring coached the Bologna, Italy, Dovers professional team through a 12-0 season and became the first American coach to go undefeated in the regular season.
Harring earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from UWL in 1958. He earned two football letters (1955-56).
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