# Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles football

The Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Wisconsin–La Crosse competes at the NCAA Division III level and is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The Eagles play their home games at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Wisconsin–La Crosse has won three national titles: the NAIA Division II Football National Championship in 1985 and the NCAA Division III Football Championship in 1992 and 1995, all during the tenure of Roger Harring, who served as head coach from 1969 to 1999 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
Wisconsin–La Crosse's teams were known as the Indians from 1937 to 1989. The name was changed because of concerns of racial insensitivity regarding Native Americans; see Native American mascot controversy.

## Head coaching history

Wisconsin–La Crosse has had 14 head coaches in their history. No teams were fielded in 1943 or 1944 due to World War II. Additionally, no team was fielded in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Coach | Seasons | Term | Wins | Losses | Ties | Win % | Nat. tit. | Conf. tit. | Playoff app. |
| Joel Moore | 1 | 1911 | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Fred G. Carter | 3 | 1912–1914 | 6 | 11 | 2 | .368 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Carl Sputh | 2 | 1915–1916 | 9 | 4 | 0 | .692 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Ray Keeler | 13 | 1917–1929 | 43 | 25 | 15 | .618 | 0 | 3 | N/A |
| Howard Johnson | 8 | 1930–1937 | 32 | 17 | 14 | .619 | 0 | 2 | N/A |
| Clyde B. Smith | 7 | 1938–1942 1946–1947 | 29 | 16 | 2 | .638 | 0 | 4 | N/A |
| Gordon Bahr | 1 | 1945 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Clark Van Galder | 4 | 1948–1951 | 31 | 5 | 1 | .851 | 0 | 3 | N/A (1 bowl game) |
| Bill Vickroy | 17 | 1952–1968 | 86 | 61 | 6 | .582 | 0 | 3 | N/A (1 bowl game) |
| Roger Harring | 31 | 1969–1999 | 261 | 75 | 7 | .771 | 3 | 15 | 14 |
| Larry Terry | 11 | 2000–2010 | 65 | 48 | 0 | .575 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Joel Dettwiler | 5 | 2011–2015 | 16 | 34 | 0 | .320 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Schmidt | 4 | 2016–2019 | 27 | 13 | 0 | .675 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matt Janus | 4 | 2021–present | 37 | 11 | 0 | .771 | 0 | 2 | 4 |

## Championships
### Conference championships

Wisconsin–La Crosse has won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championship 35 times.
| Year | Coach | Over. | WIAC |
| 1917 | Ray Keeler | 4–1 | 3–0 |
| 1919 | Ray Keeler | 4–2–1 | 3–0–1 |
| 1927 | Ray Keeler | 5–0–2 | 4–0–1 |
| 1933† | Howard Johnson | 3–4–1 | 2–2–1 |
| 1934† | Howard Johnson | 5–1–2 | 3–0–1 |
| 1939† | Clyde B. Smith | 3–4 | 3–1 |
| 1940† | Clyde B. Smith | 6–0 | 4–0 |
| 1941† | Clyde B. Smith | 5–1 | 3–1 |
| 1942† | Clyde B. Smith | 6–0–1 | 4–0 |
| 1949† | Clark Van Galder | 7–2 | 6–1 |
| 1950† | Clark Van Galder | 10–0 | 6–0 |
| 1951 | Clark Van Galder | 7–2 | 6–0 |
| 1952† | Bill Vickroy | 8–1 | 5–0 |
| 1953† | Bill Vickroy | 9–0–1 | 5–0 |
| 1954 | Bill Vickroy | 6–2–1 | 4–0–1 |
| 1971† | Roger Harring | 8–2 | 7–1 |
| 1973 | Roger Harring | 9–2 | 7–1 |
| 1974† | Roger Harring | 7–3 | 7–1 |
| 1975† | Roger Harring | 8–3 | 7–1 |
| 1978† | Roger Harring | 9–2 | 7–1 |
| 1980† | Roger Harring | 8–2 | 6–2 |
| 1982 | Roger Harring | 8–2 | 7–1 |
| 1986† | Roger Harring | 10–2 | 7–1 |
| 1989 | Roger Harring | 12–2 | 7–1 |
| 1991 | Roger Harring | 10–2 | 7–1 |
| 1992 | Roger Harring/Roland Christensen* | 12–0–1‡ | 6–0–1‡ |
| 1993 | Roger Harring | 11–1 | 7–0 |
| 1995 | Roger Harring | 14–0 | 7–0 |
| 1996 | Roger Harring | 11–2 | 7–0 |
| 1999† | Roger Harring | 7–4 | 6–1 |
| 2002 | Larry Terry | 7–4 | 6–1 |
| 2003 | Larry Terry | 10–2 | 6–1 |
| 2004 | Larry Terry | 7–4 | 5–2 |
| 2022† | Matt Janus | 9–2 | 6–1 |
| 2023 | Matt Janus | 11–2 | 7–0 |
† Co-champions
‡ The official record book does not reflect the game against the University of Wisconsin–Superior Yellowjackets scheduled for week 4 in 1992. After completing their non-conference schedule, Wisconsin–Superior suspended its season prior to conference play, before eventually dropping the football program altogether. The scheduled game officially went down in the record books as "cancelled" as opposed to a "forfeit". Superior hadn't beaten La Crosse since 1970. The Eagles were looking to extend their 21-game winning streak against the Yellowjackets prior to the cancellation.
* On October 7, 1992, Roger Harring suffered a heart attack that sidelined him for the remainder of the 1992 season. During Coach Harring's recovery, longtime Defensive Coordinator Roland Christensen took over as Interim Head Coach for the rest of the season, including the playoffs.

### National championship games

Wisconsin–La Crosse has played in three NAIA Division II Football National Championship games (winning 1, losing 2), and two NCAA Division III Football Championship games (winning both).
| Year | Coach | Division | Opponent | Result | Over. |
| 1985 | Roger Harring | NAIA Division II | Pacific Lutheran | W 24–7 | 11–1–2 |
| 1988 | Roger Harring | NAIA Division II | Westminster (PA) | L 14–21 | 11–3 |
| 1989 | Roger Harring | NAIA Division II | Westminster (PA) | L 30–51 | 12–2 |
| 1992 | Roger Harring/Roland Christensen* | NCAA Division III | Washington & Jefferson | W 16–12 | 12–0–1‡ |
| 1995 | Roger Harring | NCAA Division III | Rowan | W 36–7 | 14–0 |

### Undefeated regular seasons

Wisconsin–La Crosse has finished the regular season undefeated ten times. Of the undefeated seasons, five (1918, 1927, 1932, 1940, 1942) were before playoffs existed. Two undefeated seasons (1950, 1953) resulted in invitations to the Cigar Bowl. In the playoff era, the Eagles finished the regular season undefeated three times (1992, 1993, 1995), winning the National Championship in 1992 and 1995, and losing in the quarterfinals in 1993.
| Year | Coach | Reg. seas. | Final record |
| 1918 | Ray Keeler | 3–0–1 | 3–0–1 |
| 1927 | Ray Keeler | 5–0–2 | 5–0–2 |
| 1932 | Howard Johnson | 5–0–2 | 5–0–2 |
| 1940 | Clyde B. Smith | 6–0 | 6–0 |
| 1942 | Clyde B. Smith | 6–0–1 | 6–0–1 |
| 1950 | Clark Van Galder | 9–0 | 10–0 |
| 1953 | Bill Vickroy | 9–0 | 9–0–1 |
| 1992 | Roger Harring/Roland Christensen* | 8–0–1‡ | 12–0–1‡ |
| 1993 | Roger Harring | 10–0 | 11–1 |
| 1995 | Roger Harring | 10–0 | 14–0 |

## Postseason games
### Bowl games

Before there were tournaments to crown a national champion, Wisconsin–La Crosse (then La Crosse State) played in the Cigar Bowl twice, winning once and tying once.
| Year | Bowl | Coach | Opponent | Result | Record |
| 1951 | Cigar Bowl | Clark Van Galder | Valparaiso | W 47–14 | 10–0 |
| 1954 | Cigar Bowl | Bill Vickroy | Missouri Valley | T 12–12 | 9–0–1 |

### NCAA Division III playoffs

The Eagles have found much of their post season success at the NCAA Division III level, making the tournament field 15 times, playing in the Stagg Bowl twice (winning both times) and compiling a 20–13 record.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result | Record |
| 1983 | Quarterfinals | Occidental | W 43–42 | 9–3–1 |
| 1983 | Semifinals | Augustana (IL) | L 15–21 | 9–3–1 |
| 1991 | Regionals | Simpson | W 28–13 | 10–2 |
| 1991 | Quarterfinals | Saint John's (MN) | L 10–29 | 10–2 |
| 1992 | Regionals | Redlands | W 47–26 | 12–0–1‡ |
| 1992 | Quarterfinals | Central (IA) | W 34–9 | 12–0–1‡ |
| 1992 | Semifinals | Mount Union | W 29–24 | 12–0–1‡ |
| 1992 | Championship | Washington & Jefferson | W 16–12 | 12–0–1‡ |
| 1993 | Regionals | Wartburg | W 55–26 | 11–1 |
| 1993 | Quarterfinals | Saint John's (MN) | L 25–47 | 11–1 |
| 1995 | Regionals | Concordia–Moorhead | W 45–7 | 14–0 |
| 1995 | Quarterfinals | Wisconsin–River Falls | W 28–14 | 14–0 |
| 1995 | Semifinals | Mount Union | W 20–17 | 14–0 |
| 1995 | Championship | Rowan | W 36–7 | 14–0 |
| 1996 | Regionals | Wisconsin–River Falls | W 44–0 | 11–2 |
| 1996 | Quarterfinals | Saint John's (MN) | W 37–30 | 11–2 |
| 1996 | Semifinals | Mount Union | L 21–39 | 11–2 |
| 1999 | First Round | Central (IA) | L 17–38 | 7–4 |
| 2002 | First Round | Coe | L 18–21 | 7–4 |
| 2003 | First Round | Concordia Wisconsin | W 52–13 | 10–2 |
| 2003 | Second Round | Mount Union | L 14–39 | 10–2 |
| 2004 | First Round | St. Norbert | W 37–23 | 7–4 |
| 2004 | Second Round | Linfield | L 14–52 | 7–4 |
| 2006 | First Round | Bethel (MN) | W 28–21 | 9–2 |
| 2006 | Second Round | Wisconsin–Whitewater | L 21–24 | 9–2 |
| 2021 | First Round | Albion | W 58–23 | 9–3 |
| 2021 | Second Round | North Central (IL) | L 20–34 | 9–3 |
| 2022 | First Round | Wartburg | L 6–14 | 9–2 |
| 2023 | First Round | Minnesota Morris | W 62–7 | 11–2 |
| 2023 | Second Round | Aurora | W 56–35 | 11–2 |
| 2023 | Quarterfinals | North Central (IL) | L 42–55 | 11–2 |
| 2024 | First Round | Northwestern (MN) | W 59–14 | 8–4 |
| 2024 | Second Round | Saint John's (MN) | L 13–24 | 8–4 |

### NAIA Division I playoffs

Wisconsin–La Crosse participated in the NAIA Division I playoffs on two occasions, finishing with an 0–2 record.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result | Record |
| 1973 | Semifinals | Elon | L 24–35 | 9–2 |
| 1978 | Quarterfinals | Grand Valley State | L 14–24 | 9–2 |

### NAIA Division II playoffs

Wisconsin–La Crosse was part of the NAIA Division II playoff field five times, reaching the championship game three times and winning the national championship once. In those five appearances they posted a 10–4 record.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result | Record |
| 1985 | Quarterfinals | Carroll (MT) | W 24–0 | 11–1–2 |
| 1985 | Semifinals | Northwestern (IA) | W 35–28 $^{3OT}$ | 11–1–2 |
| 1985 | Championship | Pacific Lutheran | W 24–7 | 11–1–2 |
| 1986 | Quarterfinals | Hanover | W 35–33 | 10–2 |
| 1986 | Semifinals | Baker | L 14–16 | 10–2 |
| 1988 | First Round | Valley City State | W 31–6 | 11–3 |
| 1988 | Quarterfinals | Northwestern (IA) | W 45–33 | 11–3 |
| 1988 | Semifinals | Oregon Tech | W 37–24 | 11–3 |
| 1988 | Championship | Westminster (PA) | L 14–21 | 11–3 |
| 1989 | First Round | Wisconsin–Stevens Point | W 30–20 | 12–2 |
| 1989 | Quarterfinals | Nebraska Weslayan | W 29–0 | 12–2 |
| 1989 | Semifinals | Baker | W 21–6 | 12–2 |
| 1989 | Championship | Westminster (PA) | L 30–51 | 12–2 |
| 1990 | First Round | Peru State | L 3–24 | 9–2 |

## Ranked teams

Starting in 1999 the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) began publishing rankings for Division III football. In 2003, D3football.com started publishing its own rankings for Division III football. Since the inception of both polls, Wisconsin–La Crosse has been ranked 10 times in the AFCA Coaches Poll and 8 times in the D3football.com poll to end the season. Additionally, while not being ranked in the Top 25 to end the season, Wisconsin–La Crosse has received votes (RV) in both polls two additional years.
| Year | D3 | AFCA | Record |
| 1999 | N/A | 25 | 7–4 |
| 2002 | N/A | 22 | 7–4 |
| 2003 | 8 | 7 | 10–2 |
| 2004 | 13 | 16 | 7–4 |
| 2006 | 6 | 7 | 9–2 |
| 2017 | 24 | 25 | 8–2 |
| 2018 | RV | RV | 7–3 |
| 2019 | RV | RV | 7–3 |
| 2021 | 11 | 12 | 9–3 |
| 2022 | 12 | 11 | 9–2 |
| 2023 | 4 | 4 | 11–2 |
| 2024 | 21 | 21 | 8–4 |

## Facilities

From 1988 to 1999 the university hosted the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League for their preseason training camp. The Saints chose to use La Crosse to escape the extreme heat and humidity of Louisiana summers, as well as the great football facilities. Five other NFL teams used campuses across Wisconsin and Minnesota for training camp, in what was known as the Cheese League.

## Notable former players

Notable alumni include:
* Will Berzinski, NFL player
* Roman Brumm, NFL player
* George Dahlgren, NFL player
* Brian Gutekunst, NFL General Manager with the Green Bay Packers, Super Bowl champion (XLV) as a scout
* Roger Harring, high school and college football coach, 3× national champion (1985, 1992, 1995), inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (inducted in 2005)
* Don Kindt Jr., NFL player
* Craig Kusick, Major League Baseball player
* Craig Kusick Jr., Arena Football League player, Melberger Award winner (1995)
* Ace Loomis, NFL player
* Mike Maslowski, Arena Football League and NFL player
* Ric Mathias, NFL player
* Greg Mattison, high school, college, and NFL football coach, NCAA Division I national champion (2006) defensive coordinator and defensive line coach
* Tom Newberry, NFL player, 2× All-Pro (1988, 1989), 2× Pro Bowl (1989, 1990)
* Mike Schmidt, college football coach
* Cole Spieker, Canadian Football League player, Grey Cup champion (2023)
* Bill Schroeder, NFL Europe and NFL player
* Jeremy Unertl, Arena Football League, United Football League, Canadian Football League, and NFL Europe player, NFL Europe interceptions leader (2003) and World Bowl XI champion
* Joel Williams, NFL player, 1980 NFC sack leader
* Gary Zauner, college, United Football League and NFL football coach