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Bobby Wallace (football coach)
Encyclopedia
Bobby Wallace is a former college football
coach. During his time as a head coach he served at North Alabama
, Temple
and West Alabama. He is most noted for leading North Alabama to three consecutive NCAA Division II National Football Championship
s between 1993–1995.
in 1976. The following season, he joined Hall of Fame
coach Pat Dye
's staff at East Carolina to coach defensive backs. He followed Dye to Wyoming and Auburn, before returning to his alma-mater Mississippi State as defensive coordinator. During his tenure at Auburn, Wallace was noted for recruiting standout running back Bo Jackson
. In 1987, he coached defensive backs at Illinois.
(UNA) in Florence, Alabama
. He compiled a record of 82–36–1 in 10 seasons (1988–1997) at UNA, leading the Lions to three consecutive Division II national championships in 1993, 1994 and 1995. During those three seasons, the Lions recorded an overall record of 41–1, losing only to the eventual Division I-AA national champion Youngstown State
in 1994. The 1995 UNA team was named the "Best Team of the Quarter Century" in Division II.
Wallace's UNA
teams also won three consecutive Gulf South Conference
championships (1993–1995), qualified for the Division II playoffs six times, and sent 12 players to the National Football League
(NFL). In 1995, Lions linebacker Ronald McKinnon
became the first and, as of 2010, only defensive player to win the Division II Harlon Hill Trophy
. He resigned at UNA following the 1997 season to become the head coach at Temple University
.
on December 23, 1997. He coached the Owls for eight seasons, compiling a record of 19–71. Although his first team at Temple
finished 2–9, one of the wins became arguably one of the biggest upsets in college football history. On October 17, 1998, the 0–6 Owls traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia
to play the Virginia Tech Hokies
. The Owls overcame a 17–0 deficit and numerous injuries to upset the Hokies 28–24. The win gave the Owls their first ever Big East
road win, and their first win over a ranked opponent in 11 years. Two weeks later, the Owls won again in improbable fashion, this time overcoming a 20–0 deficit to defeat Pittsburgh
.
Although his teams were consistently good defensively, none of Wallace's eight Temple
teams had winning records. The Owls were winless during his final season in 2005, and played as a Division I-A independent after losing their Big East
affiliation. During his tenure at Temple
, Wallace had 12 players selected All-Big East. He also coached All-Americans Dan Klecko
and Rian Wallace
.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
coach. During his time as a head coach he served at North Alabama
North Alabama Lions football
The North Alabama Lions football team represents the University of North Alabama in the NCAA Division II competing as a member of the East Division of the Gulf South Conference . UNA plays its home games at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama...
, Temple
Temple Owls football
The Temple Owls football team participates in the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference...
and West Alabama. He is most noted for leading North Alabama to three consecutive NCAA Division II National Football Championship
NCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
s between 1993–1995.
Assistant coaching career
Wallace started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
in 1976. The following season, he joined Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
coach Pat Dye
Pat Dye
Patrick Fain Dye is a former American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at East Carolina University , the University of Wyoming , and Auburn University compiling a career college football record of 153–62–5...
's staff at East Carolina to coach defensive backs. He followed Dye to Wyoming and Auburn, before returning to his alma-mater Mississippi State as defensive coordinator. During his tenure at Auburn, Wallace was noted for recruiting standout running back Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson
Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985....
. In 1987, he coached defensive backs at Illinois.
University of North Alabama
Bobby Wallace's career as a head coach began in 1988 when he was named head coach at the University of North AlabamaUniversity of North Alabama
The University of North Alabama is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university....
(UNA) in Florence, Alabama
Florence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
. He compiled a record of 82–36–1 in 10 seasons (1988–1997) at UNA, leading the Lions to three consecutive Division II national championships in 1993, 1994 and 1995. During those three seasons, the Lions recorded an overall record of 41–1, losing only to the eventual Division I-AA national champion Youngstown State
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
in 1994. The 1995 UNA team was named the "Best Team of the Quarter Century" in Division II.
Wallace's UNA
University of North Alabama
The University of North Alabama is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university....
teams also won three consecutive Gulf South Conference
Gulf South Conference
The Gulf South Conference is a College Athletic Conference which operates in the southeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division II.-History:...
championships (1993–1995), qualified for the Division II playoffs six times, and sent 12 players to the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). In 1995, Lions linebacker Ronald McKinnon
Ronald McKinnon
Ronald McKinnon is an American football linebacker, currently a free agent in the NFL. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals out of the University of North Alabama where he won three division II National Championships...
became the first and, as of 2010, only defensive player to win the Division II Harlon Hill Trophy
Harlon Hill Trophy
The Harlon Hill Trophy is an award in American college football given to the individual selected as the most valuable player in NCAA Division II. The award is named for former University of North Alabama and National Football League player Harlon Hill...
. He resigned at UNA following the 1997 season to become the head coach at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
.
Temple University
Wallace became the 23rd head coach at Temple UniversityTemple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
on December 23, 1997. He coached the Owls for eight seasons, compiling a record of 19–71. Although his first team at Temple
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
finished 2–9, one of the wins became arguably one of the biggest upsets in college football history. On October 17, 1998, the 0–6 Owls traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia
Blacksburg, Virginia
Blacksburg is an incorporated town located in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States, with a population of 42,620 at the 2010 census. Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford are the three principal jurisdictions of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Metropolitan Statistical Area which...
to play the Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech Hokies
The Virginia Tech Hokies are the athletic teams officially representing Virginia Tech in college sports. The Hokies participate in the NCAA's Division I Atlantic Coast Conference in 19 varsity sports. Virginia Tech's men's sports are football, basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, soccer,...
. The Owls overcame a 17–0 deficit and numerous injuries to upset the Hokies 28–24. The win gave the Owls their first ever Big East
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
road win, and their first win over a ranked opponent in 11 years. Two weeks later, the Owls won again in improbable fashion, this time overcoming a 20–0 deficit to defeat Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
.
Although his teams were consistently good defensively, none of Wallace's eight Temple
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
teams had winning records. The Owls were winless during his final season in 2005, and played as a Division I-A independent after losing their Big East
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
affiliation. During his tenure at Temple
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
, Wallace had 12 players selected All-Big East. He also coached All-Americans Dan Klecko
Dan Klecko
Dan Klecko is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Temple....
and Rian Wallace
Rian Wallace
Rian Wallace is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
.