Wayne Hardin
Wayne Hardin (born 1926) was an American college football coach for Navy, and Temple. From 1959 to 1964, he coached at Navy, where he compiled a 38-22-2 record. At Navy he posted an unprecedented five consecutive wins against archrival Army, a feat unmatched until 2006 when Navy Coach Paul Johnson tied that record. He coached Roger Staubach (who won the Heisman trophy in 1963 under Hardin). He also coached Heisman Tropy winner Joe Bellino at Navy in 1960. Navy's only two Heisman winners came under Hardin.
From 1970 to 1982, he coached at Temple, where he compiled an 80-50-3 record. His 80 wins, ranked most in school history, and his 1979 squad went 10-2. He coached numerous future Pros at Temple including Joe Klecko, Randy Grossman, Kevin Ross, Bill (Skip) Singletary, and 1974 Maxwell Award winner Steve Joachim. His career record stands at 118-72-5, a very impressive 61% winning percentage. Under Hardin Temple's school-record 14-game winning streak over a period of two years from 1973 into 1974 was the longest Division I-A winning streak in the United States at the time. Also under Hardin, Temple's most successful season was in 1979 when it went 10-2, and finished ranked No. 17 in both final polls. Temple's last bowl appearance was a victory in the Garden State Bowl in 1979 over heavy favorite Cal under Coach Hardin.
He has been a candidate for the college football Hall of Fame numerous times. Here is evidence as to why he should have been in the Hall of Fame years ago: 1) He is third all time at Navy in wins (38) and first all time in wins at Temple (80). 2) In 13 years at Temple Coach Hardin won 80 games - in the 24 seasons since Coach Hardin left Temple they have won a total of 60 games and had only two winning seasons. Temple is not a National football powerhouse but when Hardin was there they certainly were.
After leaving Navy he then coached the Philadelphia Bulldogs of the Continental Football League and in 1966 led them to a championship (Philadelphia Bulldogs 20-17 (OT) vs Orlando Panthers.
He also spent time as a color commentator for CBS Sports for Baltimore Colts games and is considered the first true color commentator in football television sports broadcasting.
He played college football at the College of the Pacific in Stockton, CA under legendary Hall of Fame Coach Amos Alonzo Stagg. He was inducted into the College of the Pacific Hall of Fame as an athlete.
| Preceded by Eddie Erdelatz |
Navy Head Football
Coach 1959–1964 |
Succeeded by Bill Elias |
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