Sports

Mount Union’s Larry Kehres Steps Down, Vince Kehres Named Football Coach


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The University of Mount Union announced Wednesday that Larry Kehres has stepped down as head football coach, and Vince Kehres has been named to the head coaching position effective immediately.

Larry Kehres has been with the university for 39 years and will remain with his alma mater as the director of athletics. He was hired as an assistant coach and professor in 1974 and was the university’s first head coach for swimming before becoming the athletic director in 1985 and head football coach in 1986.

The Purple Raiders have gone 332-24-3 in 27 seasons with Kehres at the helm, including 23 Ohio Athletic Conference Championships (1986, 1990, 1992-2012) and have gone undefeated in the regular season 21 times, not having lost a regular season game since October 22, 2005.

Under Kehres, Mount Union was one of the top teams in the nation, claiming 11 NCAA Division III National Championships, with their most recent coming in 2012.

With their legendary head coach stepping down, there could be some changes at the top of the Ohio Athletic Conference. The Purple Raiders defeated Marietta College, 52-0, last season.

Mount Union’s new head coach Vince Kehres was a defensive coordinator for Mount Union the past eight years. Under his guidance, the 2012 Purple Raiders defense was among the top in Division III, ranking No. 1 in total defense, No. 1 in scoring defense, and No. 1 in rushing defense. Mount Union also posted six consecutive shutouts.

The 1998 Mount Union graduate has been a part of 10 national championships for Mount Union, two coming as a player.

The University of Mount Union is “planning an appropriate recognition for Coach (Larry) Kehres and the program.”

Marietta and Mount Union are scheduled to play at Mount Union on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.