Bobby Wallace (football coach)

Bobby Wallace is a college football coach. He is currently the head coach of the University of West Alabama Tigers, a Division II school in Livingston, Alabama, and member of the Gulf South Conference. In 2006, his first year at UWA, Wallace led the Tigers to a 6-5 record, the team's first winning season in 14 years. [http://athletics.uwa.edu/Wallace_bio.asp]

Head Coaching Career

University of North Alabama

Bobby Wallace's career as a head coach began in 1988 when he was named head coach at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama. He compiled a record of 82-36-1 in 10 seasons (1988-1997) at UNA, leading the Lions to three consecutive Division II national championships in 1993, 1994 and 1995. During those three seasons, the Lions recorded an overall record of 41-1, losing only to the eventual Division I-AA national champion Youngstown State in 1994. The 1995 UNA team was named the "Best Team of the Quarter Century" in Division II.

Wallace's UNA teams also won three consecutive Gulf South Conference championships (1993-1995), qualified for the Division II playoffs six times, and sent 12 players to the NFL. In 1995, Lions linebacker Ronald McKinnon became the first and, as of 2006, only defensive player to win the Division II Harlon Hill Trophy. [http://athletics.uwa.edu/Wallace_bio.asp]

Bobby Wallace resigned at UNA after the 1997 season to become the head coach at Temple University.

Temple University

Wallace became the 23rd head coach at Temple University on December 23, 1997. He coached the Owls for eight seasons, compiling a record of 19-71. Although his first team at Temple finished 2-9, one of the wins became arguably one of the biggest upsets in college football history. On October 17, 1998, the 0-6 Owls traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia to play the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Owls overcame a 17-0 deficit and numerous injuries to upset the Hokies 28-24. The win gave the Owls their first ever Big East road win, and their first win over a ranked opponent in 11 years. Two weeks later, the Owls won again, this time overcoming a 20-0 deficit to defeat Pittsburgh. [http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/tem/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2007_FB_MG_History.pdf]

Although his teams were consistently good defensively, none of Wallace's eight Temple teams had winning records. The 2000 and 2001 teams both posted 4-7 records, the best record during his tenure. The Owls were winless during his final season in 2005, and played as a Division I-A independent after losing their Big East affiliation.

During his tenure at Temple, Wallace had 12 players selected first or second team All-Big East. He also coached defensive tackle Dan Klecko (first team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News and Football News in 1999, and a second team AP All-America and third team CollegeFootballNews.com All-America in 2002), and linebacker Rian Wallace (fourth team Freshman All-America by The Sporting News in 2002, and second team CollegeFootballNews.com All-America in 2003). [http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/tem/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2007_FB_MG_History.pdf]

Assistant Coaching Career

Before becoming a head coach, Bobby Wallace coached defensive backs at East Carolina, Wyoming, and Auburn (all under head coach Pat Dye), was defensive coordinator at his alma-mater Mississippi State, and coached defensive backs at Illinois.During his tenure at Auburn, Wallace was noted for recruiting Bo Jackson. [http://athletics.uwa.edu/Wallace_bio.asp]

Career at-a-glance

*West Alabama: Head Coach, 2006-present
*Temple: Head Coach, 1998-2005
*North Alabama: Head Coach, 1988-97
*Illinois: Defensive Backs, 1987
*Mississippi State: Defensive Coordinator, 1986-87
*Auburn: Defensive Secondary, 1981-85
*Wyoming: Defensive Backs, 1980-81
*East Carolina: Defensive Secondary, 1977-80
*Mississippi State: Graduate Assistant, 1976-77

References

* [http://athletics.uwa.edu/Wallace_bio.asp Official University of West Alabama Biography]
*cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/tem/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2007_FB_MG_History.pdf|title=Temple University 2007 Football Media Guide|accessdate=2007-10-03

External links

* [http://athletics.uwa.edu/Wallace_bio.asp Official University of West Alabama Biography]