Lou Tepper

Last updated

Lou Tepper
Biographical details
Born (1945-09-07) September 7, 1945 (age 78)
Playing career
1965–1966 Rutgers
Position(s) Defensive back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1967 Pittsburgh (GA)
1968–1970 New Hampshire (RB/LB)
1971 New Hampshire (DC)
1972–1975 William & Mary (DC)
1976–1977 William & Mary (AHC)
1978–1982 Virginia Tech (LB)
1983–1985 Colorado (DC/LB)
1986–1987 Colorado (AHC)
1988–1989 Illinois (DC)
1990–1991 Illinois (AHC/DC/ILB)
1991–1996 Illinois
1998–1999 LSU (DC/LB)
2000–2005 Edinboro
2006–2010 IUP
2012–2014 Buffalo (DC/LB)
Head coaching record
Overall101–75–2
Bowls1–2
Tournaments2–3 (NCAA D-II playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
4 PSAC Western Division (2003–2006)

Lou Tepper (born September 7, 1945) is a former American football coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1991 to 1996, the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, from 2000 to 2005, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2010, compiling a career college football coaching record of 101–75–2. Tepper was the defensive coordinator at Louisiana State University (LSU) from 1997 to 1999 and the University at Buffalo from 2012 to 2014.

Contents

Playing career

Tepper played college football at Rutgers University. As a defensive back from 1965 to 1966, Tepper led the team in interceptions as a junior, and in tackles as a senior. Tepper graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1967.

Coaching career

Tepper was named the head coach at the University of Illinois in the 1991 season. Hired by John Mackovic as defensive coordinator in 1988, Tepper was promoted to head coach when Mackovic accepted the head coaching position at the University of Texas. Tepper's first game as head coach was the 1991 John Hancock Bowl, which the Illini lost to UCLA by the score of 6–3. Tepper served as the head coach at Illinois for five more seasons, compiling an overall record of 25–31–2, for a winning percentage of .446. The Illini went to the Holiday Bowl in 1992, losing to Hawaii by the score of 27–17, and the Liberty Bowl in 1994, beating East Carolina, 30–0, for Tepper's only bowl victory.

Tepper's defensive squads as coordinator were generally strong, and the Fighting Illini continued to field able 3–4 defenses with Tepper as head coach. Tepper's defensive players as head coach included Butkus Award winners Dana Howard and Kevin Hardy, as well as National Football League standouts Simeon Rice and John Holecek. Tepper authored a book, Complete Linebacking, to teach his style of defensive play for the linebacker position.

Tepper was the first Illinois coach since Robert Zuppke to win or tie both of his first two meetings against Michigan. [1] The 1992 game, a 22–22 tie, ended Michigan's 19-game conference winning streak.

Tepper was involved in a series of controversial moves associated with the recruitment of blue-chip quarterback Chris Redman in 1994 and 1995. Redman stated that he had committed to Illinois based on the recruiting efforts of Illini offensive coordinator and former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Greg Landry. [2] Tepper ignited a controversy when he unexpectedly fired Landry the day after Redman signed his letter of commitment (LOC). Tepper denied any attempt to deceive Redman about Landry's future at Illinois and eventually released Redman from his commitment. It would later emerge that Landry had allegedly been soliciting an NFL job behind Tepper's back. The departures of Landry and Redman and the manner in which they left had damaged Tepper's reputation among fans and media. [3] The NCAA decided to void the LOC based on the unusual circumstances, allowing Redman five full years of eligibility and no transfer restrictions. [4] Tepper hired former Ball State head coach and veteran Big Ten assistant Paul Schudel as Landry's replacement. The hiring of Schudel marked the fourth time in six years that the Illini had made a change at offensive coordinator.

Despite Tepper's abilities as a defensive coach, he only put together only two winning seasons in his six years in Champaign. His teams were unable to match the moderate success the Illini had enjoyed under Mackovic and Mike White, and the Illini got progressively worse over his tenure. They placed fourth in the Big Ten Conference in Tepper's first full season, 1992, and finished in fourth, fifth, seventh, and ninth in his remaining years. Tepper was fired after the 1996 season, when the Illini went 2–9 with a 1–7 conference record. Tepper later said that he had forgiven Illinois for firing him.

Prior to coaching at Illinois, Tepper served as an assistant defensive coach at Pittsburgh (1967, graduate assistant), New Hampshire (1968–1971), William and Mary (1972–1977), Virginia Tech (1978–1982), and Colorado (1983–1987).

Tepper's contract at IUP was scheduled to expire in June 2011, however, in December 2010 the university announced he would depart effective at the end of the year.

In February 2011 he was named defensive coordinator of the United States national American football team for the 2011 IFAF World Cup. [5]

From 2012-14, Tepper was named defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Buffalo.

Head coaching record

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Illinois Fighting Illini (Big Ten Conference)(1991–1996)
1991 Illinois 0–1*0–0*5th*L John Hancock
1992 Illinois 6–5–14–3–14thL Holiday
1993 Illinois 5–65–3T–4th
1994 Illinois 7–54–4T–5thW Liberty
1995 Illinois 5–5–13–4–1T–7th
1996 Illinois 2–91–7T–9th
Illinois:25–31–217–21–2* John Mackovic coached the first 11 games of the season.
Edinboro Fighting Scots (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference)(2000–2005)
2000 Edinboro5–62–4T–4th (West)
2001 Edinboro4–63–3T–3rd (West)
2002 Edinboro5–62–45th (West)
2003 Edinboro9–35–1T–1st (West)L NCAA Division II First Round
2004 Edinboro9–35–1T–1st (West)L NCAA Division II Quarterfinal
2005 Edinboro8–25–1T–1st (West)
Edinboro:40–2622–14
IUP Crimson Hawks (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference)(2006–2010)
2006 IUP8–25–1T–1st (West)
2007 IUP9–35–12nd (West)L NCAA Division II Quarterfinal
2008 IUP8–25–2T–2nd (West)
2009 IUP5–61–67th (West)
2010 IUP6–53–4T–4th (West)
IUP:36–1819–14
Total:101–75–2

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Redman</span> American football player (born 1977)

Chris James Redman is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Redman spent four seasons with the Ravens, primarily serving as a backup, and was part of the team that won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XXXV. After four years away from the NFL, he returned in 2007 with the Atlanta Falcons, where he played his last five seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Zook</span> American football player and coach (born 1954)

Ronald Andrew Zook is an American football coach and former player who recently served as the defensive coordinator of the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL. He was the head football coach at the University of Florida from 2002 to 2004 and the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 2005 to 2011.

Michael Joseph Stoops is an American football coach and former player, who is the inside linebackers coach at the University of Kentucky. Stoops also served as the head football coach at the University of Arizona from 2003 until his firing during the 2011 season. He previously served as an assistant football coach at the University of Iowa, Kansas State University, and University of Oklahoma. He is the younger brother of Bob Stoops, the former head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners football program, and the older brother of Mark Stoops, head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats football program. He returned to Oklahoma as the defensive coordinator in 2012. He served in the position until he was fired on October 7, 2018. After spending time at the University of Alabama as an analyst, he spent one season as the defensive coordinator of the Florida Atlantic Owls in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bret Bielema</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Bret Arnold Bielema is an American football coach. He is the head football coach at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a position he has held since the 2021 season. Bielema served as the head football coach at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 2006 to 2012, achieving a 68–24 record and taking them to three straight Rose Bowl Games, although they lost each time. He was the head football coach at University of Arkansas from 2013 to 2017, tallying a mark of 29–34. Bielema was an assistant coach in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons, in 2018 and 2019 with the New England Patriots and in 2020 with the New York Giants.

John Mackovic is an American football coach. He is currently the head coach of the Italy national American football team, which was formed to compete in the EFAF European Championship. Previously, Mackovic served as the head football coach at Wake Forest University (1978–1980), the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (1988–1991), the University of Texas at Austin (1992–1997), and the University of Arizona (2001–2003), compiling a career college football record of 95–82–3. He was also the head coach of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs from 1983 to 1986, tallying a mark of 30–34.

George Michael Hankwitz is a former American football coach and player. He was the defensive coordinator at Northwestern University, a position he had held from 2008 to 2020. Hankwitz has twice served as an interim head football coach, for seven games in 2003 at the University of Arizona and for one game in 2005, the Champs Sports Bowl, with the University of Colorado–Boulder, compiling a career head coaching record of 1–7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois Fighting Illini football</span> Football team of the University of Illinois in the US

The Illinois Fighting Illini football program represents the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Fighting Illini are a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and compete in its West Division. Illinois claims five national championships and 15 Big Ten championships.

Jon Tenuta is an American football coach who was most recently the defensive coordinator and secondaries coach for the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL). Previously, Tenuta was the defensive coordinator for the Virginia Cavaliers.

Victor Emanuel Koenning Jr. is a former professional American football player, and current Outside Linebacker coach at Louisiana–Monroe. He was the interim head coach at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2011 and was the head football coach at the University of Wyoming from 2000 to 2002, where he compiled a record of 5–29.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arizona Wildcats football</span> University of Arizona football team

The Arizona Wildcats football program represents the University of Arizona (UA) in the sport of American college football. Arizona competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Big 12 Conference. They play their home games at Arizona Stadium, which opened in 1929 on the university's campus in Tucson, Arizona, and has a capacity of 50,782. The Wildcats head coach is Brent Brennan.

Walter Martin Corey was an American professional football player and coach. He played as a linebacker for seven seasons in the American Football League (AFL) before coaching in the National Football League (NFL) for 28 seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Beckman</span> American football player and coach (born 1965)

Timothy David Beckman is a former American football coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Toledo from 2009 to 2011 and at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign from 2012 to 2014, compiling a career college football coaching record of 33–41. Beckman was terminated by Illinois on August 28, 2015, seven days prior to the Illini's scheduled season opener, after numerous allegations of abuse of players surfaced.

The 1991 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Fighting Illini were led by fourth-year head coach John Mackovic during the regular season before he resigned and was replaced by Lou Tepper as interim head coach for the team's bowl game. Illinois compiled an overall record of 6–6 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, placing fifth in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini were invited to the John Hancock Bowl, where they lost to UCLA. The team's offense scored 264 points while the defense allowed 188 points. Illinois played home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

Tommy Thigpen is an American college football coach and former player. He is currently the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at University of North Carolina, a position he assumed in January 2018. Prior to that, he spent 14 years as an assistant coach in the collegiate ranks, including a stint at Auburn University where he was part of the 2010 National Championship team. Thigpen played as a linebacker at the University of North Carolina and thereafter was drafted by the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He also played for the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football (WLAF).

Nathan Scheelhaase is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the offensive assistant and passing game specialist for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Iowa State University in 2023.

The 1991 John Hancock Bowl was a college football bowl game played at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas between the University of Illinois Fighting Illini and the University of California, Los Angeles on December 31, 1991. The game was the final contest of the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season for both teams, and ended in a 6–3 victory for UCLA. Illinois and UCLA previously met in post-season at the 1984 Rose Bowl, in which UCLA upset #4 Illinois, 45–9.

The 1990 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign during the 1990 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third year under head coach John Mackovic, the Illini compiled an 8–4 record, finished in a four-way tie for first place in the Big Ten Conference, were ranked No. 25 in the final AP Poll, and lost to Clemson in the 1991 Hall of Fame Bowl.

The 1992 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign during the 1992 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their second year under head coach Lou Tepper, the Illini compiled a 6–5–1 record, finished in fourth place in the Big Ten Conference, and lost to Hawaii in the Holiday Bowl.

References

  1. Fightingillini.Com // The Official Site Of University Of Illinois Athletics Archived December 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Tepper Moves to Keep Redman".
  3. "Bill Cubit: Illini savior?".
  4. "Illini Release Top Recruit from Commitment".
  5. "Tjeerdsma to lead 2011 National Team". Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. February 10, 2011. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2014.