Coach Schipper led Central College to a Division III National Championship in 1974

Coach Ron Schipper, among the most successful football coaches in America, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and one of the most influential figures in Central College (Iowa) history, passed away suddenly Sunday evening near his home in Holland, Mich. He was 77.

Schipper compiled a 287-67-3 record as Central's football coach from 1961-96, posting 36 consecutive winning seasons. His 287 victories rank second all-time among NCAA Division III coaches. At the time of his retirement, Schipper’s .808 career winning percentage was the fourth highest in Division III history.

In 2000, the National Football Foundation inducted Schipper into the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. He followed one of his former Central players, former NFL star defensive end Vern Den Herder, who was inducted in 1996.

Schipper guided the Dutch to an NCAA record 36 consecutive winning seasons. His Central teams won a record 18 Iowa Conference championships, including the 1995 title, and claimed 10 crowns in his final 13 years. Central was selected for the NCAA Div. III playoffs 12 times, including 10 appearances from 1984-96. The Dutch won the NCAA Division III national title in 1974 and advanced to the national finals three times, placing second in 1984 and 1988. Central won the West Region championship in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990.

"This is a great loss for his family, for the Central College community and for the college football coaching ranks," said athletics director Al Dorenkamp, who served as captain under Schipper for the 1974 Central football team which won the NCAA Division III title. "Coach Schipper was a great mentor and friend to countless individuals and impacted so many lives in a positive way. I feel blessed to have been connected with Coach Schipper as a student-athlete, Central colleague and friend."

In addition to coaching, Schipper held Central's athletic director post from 1964-93. He was also president of the American Football Coaches Association (1994), and served on the group’s board of trustees from 1985-94. Schipper was a member of AFCA’s USA Blue Ribbon Task Force and in 2004 he received the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award at the annual AFCA convention for his contributions to college football.

For more information on Ron Schipper, please click here.