Craig Rundle

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Craig Rundle
Biographical details
Born (1952-02-01) February 1, 1952 (age 72)
Alma mater Albion College (1974)
Playing career
1971, 1973 Albion
Position(s) Tight end, defensive lineman
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1976 Central Michigan (assistant)
1977–1981 Christian Bros. HS (CA)
1982–1984 Wayne State (MI) (assistant)
1984–1985 Saint Mary's (DC)
1986–1989 Saint Mary's
1990–1996 Colorado College
1997–2018 Albion
Head coaching record
Overall184–141–1 (college)
29–21–1 (high school)
Tournaments0–5 (NCAA D-III playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
7 MIAA (1998–1999, 2001, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2015)

Craig Rundle (born February 1, 1952) is a former American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Saint Mary's College of California from 1986 to 1989, and Colorado College from 1990 to 1996, and Albion College from 1997 to 2018, compiling a career college football coaching record of 184–141–1. Rundle led Albion to seven Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) titles.

Contents

Albion College (athlete)

Rundle graduated from Gabriels High School, which is now part of Lansing Catholic High School. [1] He enrolled at Albion College, where he played at the tight end and defensive line positions for the school's football team. He graduated in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He later received a master's degree from Central Michigan University. [2]

Christian Brothers High School

After a one-year stint as an assistant coach at Central Michigan University in 1976, Rundle began his head coaching career at Christian Brothers School ("CBS") in Sacramento, California. He was the head coach at CBS for five years from 1977–1981. In 1981, Rundle led CBS to an 11–2 record and reportedly "stunned the top-ranked [Cordova High School] Lancers" by a score of 24–6 en route to a Metro League title; his 1981 team would go on to win the Sac-Joaqiun Section Title the first in Christian Brothers High School history. [3] In five years at CBS, Rundle's teams compiled a 29–21–1 record. [4]

Wayne State

Rundle left CBS in 1982 to accept a position as the defensive coordinator at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He held that position from 1982 to 1984. [1] [4]

Saint Mary's

After spending two years as the defensive coordinator at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, California, Rundle was promoted to head coach in March 1986. [4] [5] The Saint Mary's Gaels were 3–8 in 1985, the year before Rundle became head coach. Rundle served four years as the head coach and compiled a record of 29–12. [6] He led the 1988 St. Mary's team to a perfect 10–0 record. [7] Despite being one of only two team in NCAA Division II with an unbeaten, untied record in 1988 (the other was eventual national champion North Dakota State), Rundle's team was unranked and did not receive an invitation to play in the NCAA Division II tournament. The San Francisco Chronicle in November 1988 called the Gaels one of the "better-kept secrets in Division II football." [8]

Colorado College

In February 1990, Rundle was hired as the head coach at Colorado College. He replaced Jerry Carle, who had served as the school's head coach for 33 years. [6] The Colorado College football team had finished the 1989 season with a 1–8 record. Asked about taking over a program that was in a rebuilding phase, Rundle said, "I'm not intimidated about coming into a program that's been down. When I started here at St. Mary's, they weren't that much better. It's going to be a real challenge, but I look forward to it." [2] Rundle explained his decision to make the move as follows, "For raising my family, I found the city of Colorado Springs very appealing. And a Division III program fits my philosophies. I think you'll find Division III programs offer more of a pure sport." [9]

After arriving at Colorado College, Rundle introduced a new, pass-oriented offense. The focal point of the new offense was Rundle's "pro-set, man-in-motion, pass-when-you-can attack." [10] Rundle's first victory at Colorado College was a 38–6 win over Tabor College featuring a passing attack that accounted for 860 yards of offense in the first three games of the 1990 season. [11] After a 63–0 win over Trinity Bible College in late October 1990, the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph referred to the Colorado College offense as "Air Rundle." [12]

Rundle remained at Colorado College for seven seasons from 1990 to 1996 and compiled a seven-year record of 29–33–1. In his first three seasons, his teams finished 4–5, 3–6 and 3–6. [13] However, Rundle turned the program around in 1993, when his team finished with a record of 8–1. The 1993 team opened the season with eight consecutive wins, including consecutive wins over Hardin-Simmons (the No. 4-ranked team in NAIA Division II) and Washington University in St. Louis. [14] However, the team lost the final game of the season by a score of 22–21 against Hastings College, a team that was ranked No. 3 in NAIA Division II. In the loss to Hastings, Colorado College led going into the final minutes when Hastings completed several passes and scored a touchdown for the lead. Years later, Rundle recalled the loss to Hastings, "I still wake up at night sometimes and think about that game. You know, just wondering what if we'd done a few things differently." [15]

Despite the impressive 1993 season, Rundle's team was not invited to play in the Division III playoffs. [16] Rundle told a reporter, "It seems like they might be looking for reasons why we don't belong in the playoffs, instead of why we do. I've called a couple of people on the committee, just trying to enlighten them about our situation. But I'm not sure it's had any effect." [13] Yet, the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph noted, "Rundle, whose priorities and ethics are impeccable, refuses to scream about being victimized by the system." [13]

The day after the season-ending loss to Hastings in 1993, Rundle sought to "break the gloom and doom" by telling his team, "I hadn't had a haircut all season, and if they wanted to give me one, they could." The seniors accepted the offer and "left him with nothing but stubble - and the players with thoughts of all that went right in 1993." [17] The 1993 Colorado College team averaged 38 points a game and allowed 20 points per game, while setting season records for points (344), touchdowns (46), defensive touchdowns (six), points scored by the defense (36) and consecutive victories to start a season (eight). [18]

Despite finishing 4–4–1 and 4–5 in 1994 and 1995, Rundle remained a popular figure in Colorado Springs. In 1996, the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph wrote: "Step into the office of Colorado College football coach Craig Rundle, and you instantly rediscover all's right with the world. Rundle, entering his seventh year at CC, always has made sure his nonscholarship program's priorities remain constant and appropriate." [19]

In his seven years at Colorado College, Rundle became the third-winningest coach in the school's football history behind Jerry Carle and W.T. Van de Graaff. [20] When Rundle announced his decision to leave Colorado College to take the head coaching position at his alma mater, Albion College, a columnist in the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph closed his coverage of the story as follows:

"Craig Rundle is a special person in every way. This job brings us in contact with all kinds of coaches, most of whom go without more than a simple 'good luck, and nice working with you,' as they leave. But for this farewell, it seems appropriate to add something I've never written before. I wish I could have played for you, coach. I really do." [15]

Albion College (coach)

In January 1997, Rundle was hired as the head football coach at Albion College. [20] In his first season at Albion, Rundle's team finished 6-3 but fell short of winning the MIAA championship. [21] However, in 1998, Rundle's Albion finished 8-2, won the MIAA championship, and advanced to the NCAA Division III Playoffs. [1] In his first nine seasons at Albion, Rundle compiled a record of 60-29, won four MIAA championship, and advanced twice to the NCAA Division III playoffs. [1] [7]

In 2001, Albion won an MIAA championship with both of Rundle's sons playing on the team. [1] [22] His oldest son, Travis Rundle, was the team's quarterback and broke many of the school's all-time passing records. Travis held Albion records for the most pass attempts in a season (329 in 2001), most completions in a season (183 in 2001), and as of January 2017 holds the record for most passing touchdowns in a game (six against Olivet College in 2000). [23] [24] Rundle's younger son, Troy Rundle, also played tight end for the 2001 team. [25] Both sons became first-team All-MIAA selections. [1]

Rundle retired at the end of the 2018 season with the most victories (122) of any coach in Albion history, 7 MIAA Championships and 5 NCAA appearances.

Head coaching record

College

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Saint Mary's Gaels (NCAA Division II independent)(1986–1989)
1986 Saint Mary's5–5
1987 Saint Mary's8–3
1988 Saint Mary's10–0
1989 Saint Mary's6–4
Saint Mary's:29–12
Colorado College Tigers (NCAA Division III independent)(1990–1996)
1990 Colorado College4–5
1991 Colorado College3–6
1992 Colorado College3–6
1993 Colorado College8–1
1994 Colorado College4–4–1
1995 Colorado College3–6
1996 Colorado College3–6
Colorado College:28–34–1
Albion Britons (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association)(1997–2018)
1997 Albion6–33–2T–3rd
1998 Albion8–26–01stL NCAA Division III First Round
1999 Albion6–35–1T–1st
2000 Albion7–33–2T–2nd
2001 Albion8–25–01st
2002 Albion5–53–3T–4th
2003 Albion6–44–2T–2nd
2004 Albion7–35–2T–2nd
2005 Albion7–46–11stL NCAA Division III First Round
2006 Albion5–53–45th
2007 Albion2–82–56th
2008 Albion4–63–3T–3rd
2009 Albion4–64–2T–2nd
2010 Albion5–54–2T–2nd
2011 Albion6–56–01stL NCAA Division III First Round
2012 Albion6–43–34th
2013 Albion8–36–01stL NCAA Division III First Round
2014 Albion6–44–2T–2nd
2015 Albion9–25–1T–1stL NCAA Division III First Round
2016 Albion1–90–67th
2017 Albion4–62–45th
2018 Albion7–34–3T–3rd
Albion:127–9587–48
Total:184–141–1
      National championship        Conference title        Conference division title or championship game berth

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Craig Rundle: Football Head Coach". Albion College. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  2. 1 2 John Moore (February 20, 1990). "Colorado College hires Rundle". Denver Post.
  3. ↑ Joe Davidson (October 23, 2007). "A look back at a storied rivalry: Cordova vs. Christian Brothers". The Sacramento Bee. p. C2.
  4. 1 2 3 "RUNDLE, FORMER CBS COACH, TAKES ST. MARY'S FOOTBALL POST". Sacramento Bee. March 8, 1986.
  5. ↑ "ST. MARY'S LOSES OATES, HIRES RUNDLE". San Jose Mercury News. March 8, 1986. p. 4E.
  6. 1 2 Mike Klis (February 14, 1990). "CC selects new head coach: Search committee's consensus nominee is owns 29-12 record". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C3.
  7. 1 2 "Craig Rundle Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  8. ↑ Al Moss (November 5, 1988). "'Little Big Game': St. Mary's (9-0) Vies for Respect". San Francisco Chronicle. p. D4.
  9. ↑ Mike Klis (February 20, 1990). "CC names Rundle coach, still looking for new AD: Division III program seen as challenge". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C2.
  10. ↑ Steve Page (August 30, 1990). "CC enters a new era with a redesigned offense". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C2.
  11. ↑ Mike Klis (September 23, 1990). "Rundle earns first win as CC routs Tabor, 38-6". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C6.
  12. ↑ Mike Klis (October 28, 1990). "Colorado College crushes depleted Trinity, 63-0". Colorado Springs Gazette–Telegraph.
  13. 1 2 3 Ralph Routon (November 11, 1993). "Come what may, Rundle keeps faith". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C1.
  14. ↑ Ralph Routon (October 27, 1993). "At CC, Rundle has turned Tigers into trophy hunters again". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C1.
  15. 1 2 Ralph Routon (January 13, 1997). "CC's Rundle was special". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C5.
  16. ↑ Steve Page (November 15, 1993). "NCAA overlooks CC in picking playoff teams". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C2.
  17. ↑ Steve Page (November 18, 1993). "CC wins silent respect: An 8-1 season quiets callers". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C1.
  18. ↑ Torin Berge (August 24, 1994). "CC tries to better 8-1 success of '93". Denver Post.
  19. ↑ Ralph Routon (September 6, 1996). "CC's serious football can be lots of fun". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph.
  20. 1 2 Ralph Routon (January 10, 1997). "Rundle leaving CC program: Coach takes post at Albion College". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C3.
  21. ↑ Jim Spadafore (November 6, 1998). "State Colleges: Albion's Rundle hopes to emerge". The Detroit News.
  22. ↑ "Albion romps, takes MIAA". The Detroit News. November 11, 2001.
  23. ↑ "Albion Football Records". Albion College. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Football: Record Book". Albion College. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Family ties carry Albion". The Detroit News. August 30, 2001.
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