Position: Coach
Years: 1969-1999
Place of Birth: Green Bay, WI
Date of Birth: Oct. 4, 1932
Place of Death: La Crosse, WI
Date of Death: Aug. 12, 2021
Coach
Roger Harring headed the program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse from 1969-1999 with an astounding .771 winning percentage.
During his 31-year tenure, Harring guided the Eagles to heights the school had never before seen, compiling an overall record of 261-75-7 and three national championships. The first crown came in 1985 when the Eagles played in NAIA. The second followed in 1992 after UWL had moved to the NCAA Division III, making the Eagles the first school in college football to win an NAIA title and an NCAA III title. The program added another NCAA III title in 1995.
Harring's 261 victories currently rank him 20th all-time among all divisions in college football history and tie him for fifth among NCAA Division III coaches. The 261 victories are also the most in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) history.
Twenty-five times in his 31 years, Harring's teams finished first or second in their conference, including 15 conference titles and 14 national playoff appearances, compiling an overall 23-11 playoff record.
In 1992 and 1995 he was chosen as the national Chevrolet Division III Coach of the Year, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) named him the Division III Coach of the Year in 1995. Seven times, he was named conference Coach of the Year.
Thirty-six UWL players were drafted or signed by a professional team under Harring. A total of 19 NAIA Division II All-America honors were earned, including nine First Team selections. Nine Associated Press Little All-America First Team honors were earned under Harring as well as four Football Gazette First Team selections.
In addition to the College Football Hall of Fame, he has been enshrined in the WIAC, NAIA District, Wisconsin Football Coaches' Association, and the Wisconsin Rapids High School halls of fame. He was named to ESPN's list of the 150 greatest coaches in college football's 150-year history in December 2019. The Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex has also been named in his honor at ULM.
A native of Green Bay, Wis., Harring graduated from Green Bay Central Catholic High School in 1951, lettering in football, basketball, boxing and baseball. A member of four undefeated football teams, Harring was a three-time team captain and MVP. Harring earned two football letters at St. Norbert College (WI) before playing at UWL. He earned his bachelor's (1958) and master's (1962) degrees in physical education from UWL while earning two football letters (1955-56). He spent two years in the USMC during the Korean Conflict.
Harring started coaching at Ladysmith (WI) High School in 1958, where he was head football, wrestling and track & field coach until 1962. Harring led the football team to a 31-9 record in five seasons, winning three league championships and finishing undefeated in 1961 and 1962. He moved to Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School in 1963, serving as head football, wrestling and track & field coach, until 1969 when he took over the ULM program.
Harring passed away Aug. 12, 2021. He was 88.
