National Football Foundation

Doyt Perry had a strong coaching philosophy. "Cut down on mistakes - on penalties, fumbles, interceptions, blocked kicks or missed assignments. The game has never changed much; blocking and tackling have always been the main action." Using this formula at Bowling Green State University from 1955 through 1964, Perry's teams won 77 games, lost 11 and tied 5. When he left coaching, Perry was third all time in percentage of games won in NCAA Division IA with a .855 record. First on this list was Knute Rockne at .881 and Frank Leahy was second at .864. Perry was a leader who cared about his troops and counseled them. Among his former players were Larry Smith, Jim Young, Jerry Berndt, Moe Ankney, Don Nehlen and Dave McClain; all became head coaches at I-A schools. Perry attended Bowling Green and was captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams in 1931-32. He was a high school coach, then Ohio State's offensive backfield coach, before going back to Bowling Green as head coach in 1955. After coaching, he was Bowling Green's athletic director six years and Florida International University's athletic adviser three years. The Bowling Green football stadium is named for Doyt Perry. He died February 10, 1992, at age 82.