Wayne J. McConnell (April 9, 1912 – July 3, 1981)[1] was an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at the College of Emporia in Emporia, Kansas from 1950 to 1955 and Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas from 1956 to 1968, and compiling a career college football coaching record of 83–80–4.

Wayne J. McConnell
Biographical details
Born(1912-04-09)April 9, 1912
Auburn, Kansas, U.S.
DiedJuly 3, 1981(1981-07-03) (aged 69)
Hays, Kansas, U.S.
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
c. 1940Atchison County Community HS (KS)
1947–1948Downs HS (KS)
1949Manhattan HS (KS)
1950–1955College of Emporia
1956–1968Fort Hays State
Basketball
1947–1949Downs HS (KS)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1950–?College of Emporia
Head coaching record
Overall84–80–4 (college football)
Bowls0–1
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
4 KCAC (1951, 1953–1955)
1 CIAC (1966)

Coaching career

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College of Emporia

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McConnell was named the head football coach at the College of Emporia in Emporia, Kansas before the start of the 1950 season and held that post through the completion of the 1955 season. His College of Emporia Fighting Presbies football teams posted a record of 39–13–1 in six seasons. They were champions of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) four times and made an appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl in 1954.[2]

Fort Hays State

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McConnell was the head football coach at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas for 13 seasons, from 1956 to 1968. His Fort Hays State Tigers football team had a record of 45–67–3.[3]

Head coaching record

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College football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
College of Emporia Fighting Presbies (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1950–1955)
1950 College of Emporia 2–7 2–4 T–5th
1951 College of Emporia 8–0 6–0 1st
1952 College of Emporia 3–5–1 2–3–1 T–4th
1953 College of Emporia 8–0 7–0 1st
1954 College of Emporia 9–1 7–0 1st L Mineral Water
1955 College of Emporia 9–0 7–0 1st
College of Emporia: 39–13–1 31–7–1
Fort Hays State Tigers (Central Intercollegiate Conference) (1956–1968)
1956 Fort Hays State 1–8 0–5 6th
1957 Fort Hays State 4–4 2–2 3rd
1958 Fort Hays State 4–4–1 2–2–1 T–3rd
1959 Fort Hays State 3–6 1–4 T–5th
1960 Fort Hays State 2–7 1–4 T–5th
1961 Fort Hays State 0–9 0–5 6th
1962 Fort Hays State 6–2–1 3–1–1 2nd
1963 Fort Hays State 2–6–1 1–3 4th
1964 Fort Hays State 5–4 2–2 T–2nd
1965 Fort Hays State 6–3 3–1 2nd
1966 Fort Hays State 7–2 3–1 T–1st
1967 Fort Hays State 3–5 2–2 3rd
1968 Fort Hays State 2–7 0–4 5th
Fort Hays State: 45–67–3 20–36–2
Total: 84–80–4
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Retired coach dies" Hutchinson News, July 7, 1981, Hutchinson, Kansas
  2. ^ Emporia Gazette, "Football Fortunes started Down in 1930" by Ed Shupe
  3. ^ "Fort Hays State University coaching records". Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2008.