What is the Cradle of Coaches?
Throughout the sports world, Miami University is recognized as the Cradle of Coaches. Legendary coaches such as Bo Schembechler, John Harbaugh, Ara Parseghian, and Paul Brown all had roots at Miami, and their lasting impact on college and professional football is still felt today. More than 100 Miami graduates have gone on to work in coaching or administrative roles at the collegiate and professional levels, with over 30 currently serving as head coaches. Over the past six decades, more than 20 coaches with Miami roots have been recognized as National Coaches of the Year.
The term Cradle of Coaches was popularized by Bob Kurz, a 1958 Miami graduate and former Miami Sports Information Director. In his book "Miami of Ohio: The Cradle of Coaches," Kurz documented the university's rich coaching legacy from its humble beginnings through the 2002 season. His inspiration came in 1959, when Miami alumni Paul Dietzel and Ara Parseghian were leading the top two college programs in the nation, while Paul Brown, Sid Gillman, and Weeb Ewbank were revolutionizing the professional game.
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Coming in 2026, experience how Miami University shaped football's greatest legends, earning the title Cradle of Coaches. |
| Meet the Legends |
| 1992 Weeb Ewbank Bob Kurz Bill Narduzzi John Pont 1993 Paul Brown Mel Knowlton Ara Parseghian 1994 Bill Arnsparger Paul Dietzel Jack Llewellyn 1995 Jack Faulkner Joe Codiano Bill Mallory 1996 John Brickels Hal Paul Dick Shrider 1997 Jerry Hanlon John McVay Frank Shands 1998 Carmen Cozza Marvin Moorehead Ernie Plank 2001 Dick Crum Darrell Hedric Lou Kaczmarek Rich Voiers Walter Alston Earl Blaik Leann Davidge Woody Hayes Raymond Ray George Rider William Rohr |
2001 Dick Crum Darrell Hedric Lou Kaczmarek Rich Voiers Walter Alston Earl Blaik Leann Davidge Woody Hayes Raymond Ray George Rider William Rohr 2002 Peggy Bradley-Doppes Denny Marcin Marvin McCollum Nick Mourouzis Jim Rose Ron Zook 2004 Rodger Cromer Carol Clark Johnson Clarence "Mickey" McDade Ron Niekamp Bo Schembechler 2006 George Dales George Gwozdecky Danny Hall Bob Kappes Dr. Stephen R. Strome Randall Whitehead 2008 Terry Hoeppner Randy Walker 2011 Jerry Angelo Elaine Hieber Dave Jennings Rob Patrick Gary Quisno Pam Wettig |
2012 Randy Ayers Thad Matta Joe Novak Sandy Pearsall Sue Ramsey 2014 John Harbaugh 2015 Steve Cady Dona Layman Ron Masanek Tracy Smith Dan Stimson 2016 Charlie Coles Fritz Heisler Paco Labrador Jason Lindsey Phil Lumpkin Bud Middaugh Todd Spohn 2018 Dr. Richard Ceronie Ron Hunter Don Knodel Bobby Kramig Jim Tressel 2023 Sean McVay 2025 Carolyn Condit Vicki Korn Sean Payton Iñako Puzo Wendy Sweney |
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