Hubbry Logo
Jim WackerJim WackerMain
Open search
Jim Wacker
Community hub
Jim Wacker
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Jim Wacker
Jim Wacker
Jim Wacker
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

James Herbert Wacker (April 28, 1937 – August 26, 2003) was an American football coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Texas Lutheran University (1971–1975), North Dakota State University (1976–1978), Southwest Texas State University—now Texas State University (1979–1982), Texas Christian University (1983–1991), and the University of Minnesota (1992–1996), compiling a career college football record of 159–131–3. Wacker won two NAIA Division II National Championships with Texas Lutheran in 1974 and 1975, and two NCAA Division II Football Championships with Southwest Texas State, in 1981 and 1982.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

The son of a Lutheran minister, Wacker was born and raised in Detroit. He graduated from Lutheran-affiliated Valparaiso University in 1960 and went on to further studies at Wayne State University.

Coaching career

[edit]

In the early phase of his coaching career, Wacker coached at Texas Lutheran University (1971–1975), North Dakota State University (1976–1978), and Southwest Texas State University (1979–1982). He won four national championships, two at Texas Lutheran and two at Southwest Texas State.

Wacker after the Palm Bowl, 1981

TCU

[edit]

Wacker became head football coach of Texas Christian University after the 1982 season. He had early success at TCU. In 1984, his team was ranked as high as #12, the TCU Frogs' highest ranking since 1960, and was invited to the Bluebonnet Bowl after an 8–3 record in the regular season, their first bowl appearance in 20 years. The #12-ranked Frogs lost a showdown for the Southwest Conference title with the #10-ranked Texas Longhorns on November 10 in what remains the third best-attended game in the history of Amon G. Carter Stadium. TCU finished in a three-way tie for third in the 1984 SWC standings with Arkansas and Texas one game behind co-champions SMU and Houston. After the season, Wacker was named as National Coach of the Year by ESPN, the UPI, and The Sporting News. He was awarded the 1984 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award.

There was much hype surrounding the Frogs going into the 1985 season, and Wacker appeared on the cover of Dave Campbell's Texas Football alongside his All-American running back, Kenneth Davis, a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 1984 and a leading candidate for the award in 1985. After the first game of the season, Wacker discovered that several players, including Davis, had been benefiting from a payment plan in violation of NCAA rules. Wacker promptly kicked the players off the team and self-reported the infractions to the NCAA, cementing his reputation as a man of integrity. For all intents and purposes, this ended the Frogs' season; they finished 3-8, including a winless SWC slate.

In 1986, the NCAA slapped TCU with three years' probation and a ban on postseason play in the 1986 season. The most severe penalty in the long run, however, was a reduction to only 25 scholarships in 1987 and 1988. To this day, Horned Frog fans remain bitter that the NCAA imposed such a severe penalty given that the violations were voluntarily reported.[1] As heavy-handed as this penalty was, the NCAA seriously considered banning the Horned Frogs from bowl games and live television for three years and no new scholarships in 1987 or 1988. However, it praised Wacker for taking swift corrective action once the violations came to light, including kicking the players off the team when he was well aware that it would cripple the team for the upcoming season.[2] As it turned out, TCU would need the rest of the decade and much of the next to recover; they would have only two more winning records until 1997.

Wacker brought the team back to success in 1990, when the 5–1 Frogs returned to the top 25 for the first time since 1984, before slumping after a season-ending injury to their starting quarterback. In 1991, TCU finished 7–4 for their first winning season since 1984. However, blowout losses to Texas and Texas A&M kept the Horned Frogs out of a bowl. This was one of only three winning seasons TCU had from 1985 to 1997.

Minnesota

[edit]

Wacker served as head coach at the University of Minnesota from 1992 to 1996. Although he had a disappointing won-lost record (16–39) at Minnesota, for three years his teams led the conference with academic all-conference honors.

Later life, death, and honors

[edit]

Wacker was an announcer on CBS Radio for two years and then returned to Southwest Texas State University in 1998 to serve as athletic director until 2001. He died after a long battle with cancer in San Marcos, Texas on August 26, 2003. In November 2003, Southwest Texas State named its football field at Bobcat Stadium "Jim Wacker Field" in his honor.[3]

Head coaching record

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs NCAA#
Texas Lutheran Bulldogs (NAIA Division II independent) (1971–1975)
1971 Texas Lutheran 5–6
1972 Texas Lutheran 3–7
1973 Texas Lutheran 7–3
1974 Texas Lutheran 11–0 W NAIA Division II Championship
1975 Texas Lutheran 11–1 W NAIA Division II Championship
Texas Lutheran: 37–17
North Dakota State Bison (North Central Conference) (1976–1978)
1976 North Dakota State 9–3 6–0 1st L NCAA Division II Semifinal (Grantland Rice) T–8
1977 North Dakota State 9–2–1 6–0–1 1st L NCAA Division II Semifinal (Grantland Rice) 1
1978 North Dakota State 6–4 3–3 T–3rd
North Dakota State: 24–9–1 15–3–1
Southwest Texas State Bobcats (Lone Star Conference) (1979–1982)
1979 Southwest Texas State 7–4 3–4 T–5th
1980 Southwest Texas State 8–3 6–1 1st 8
1981 Southwest Texas State 13–1 6–1 1st W NCAA Division II Championship 4
1982 Southwest Texas State 14–0 7–0 1st W NCAA Division II Championship 1
Southwest Texas State: 42–8 22–6
TCU Horned Frogs (Southwest Conference) (1983–1991)
1983 TCU 1–8–2 1–6–1 8th
1984 TCU 8–4 5–3 T–3rd L Astro-Bluebonnet
1985 TCU 3–8 0–8 9th
1986 TCU 3–8 1–7 8th
1987 TCU 5–6 3–4 T–5th
1988 TCU 4–7 2–5 T–5th
1989 TCU 4–7 2–6 T–7th
1990 TCU 5–6 3–5 T–5th
1991 TCU 7–4 4–4 T–5th
TCU: 40–58–2 21–48–1
Minnesota Golden Gophers (Big Ten Conference) (1992–1996)
1992 Minnesota 2–9 2–6 10th
1993 Minnesota 4–7 3–5 T–8th
1994 Minnesota 3–8 1–7 11th
1995 Minnesota 3–8 1–7 10th
1996 Minnesota 4–7 1–7 T–9th
Minnesota: 16–39 8–32
Total: 159–131–3
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jim Wacker

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jim Wacker (April 28, 1937 – August 26, 2003) was an American college football coach and athletics administrator who achieved four national championships at the level and was renowned for his optimistic coaching philosophy that emphasized academic success alongside athletic performance. Born in , , as the son of a Lutheran minister, Wacker graduated from Lutheran High School in before attending , where he earned B.S. degrees in and in while playing football for the Crusaders. He later obtained a in from in 1966 and a doctorate in education from the University of in 1970. Wacker began his coaching career in in and served as an assistant coach at Concordia College in Seward, , before becoming a . Wacker's head coaching tenure spanned 25 years across five institutions, where he compiled an overall record of 159–131–3. At from 1971 to 1975, he led the Bulldogs to consecutive NAIA Division II national championships in 1974 and 1975, finishing with a 37–17 record. He then coached at from 1976 to 1978, posting a 24–9–1 record. From 1979 to 1982 at Southwest Texas State University (now ), Wacker guided the Bobcats to national titles in 1981 and 1982, including a perfect 14–0 season in 1982, and earned the College Division II Coach of the Year award that year after securing three titles and a 42–8 overall mark. At Texas Christian University (TCU) from 1983 to 1991, Wacker revitalized the program, achieving an 8–3 regular season record and a No. 12 national ranking in 1984, culminating in a Bluebonnet Bowl appearance, for which he was named the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year. His final head coaching stint was at the University of Minnesota from 1992 to 1996, where his teams led the Big Ten Conference in graduation rates and all-academic selections for all five seasons, though the on-field record was 16–39. After retiring from coaching, Wacker served as athletic director at Southwest Texas State University from 1998 to 2001 and worked as a football commentator for two years. He was inducted into multiple halls of fame, including those at (2003), (1991), (2019), and the Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his legacy of positivity and holistic development of student-athletes. Wacker, who was married to Lil for 42 years and had three sons, passed away from cancer in , at age 66.

Coaching career

Early coaching positions

Jim Wacker began his coaching career as the at in , serving from 1960 to 1964. In 1964, Wacker transitioned to collegiate as an assistant at , where he worked under head coach Ron Harms until 1969. During this period, he contributed to both offensive and defensive preparations, with a particular emphasis on coaching the offensive and defensive lines as well as linebackers; he also served as head coach for the wrestling and programs. From 1969 to 1971, while pursuing his Ed.D. in education at the , Wacker took on an assistant coaching role at Augustana College in . Wacker's early career laid the foundation for his hallmark enthusiastic and motivational style, evident in his multifaceted involvement across sports and his collaborative development of innovative strategies, such as adapting defensive schemes inspired by professional techniques.

Texas Lutheran University

Jim Wacker began his head coaching career at in 1971, serving through the 1975 season and compiling an overall record of 37–17 with the Bulldogs. Under his leadership, the program experienced a dramatic turnaround from early struggles, including sub-.500 finishes in 1971 (5–6) and 1972 (3–7), to becoming a national powerhouse by mid-decade. Wacker guided Texas Lutheran to consecutive NAIA Division II national championships in 1974 and 1975, marking the school's first and only titles at that level. In 1974, the Bulldogs finished 11–0, culminating in a 52–8 victory over in the championship game, while scoring a school-record 421 points and allowing just 44. The 1975 team went 11–1, securing the title with a 34–8 win against and extending a school-record 17-game winning streak that began in 1973. These successes established Wacker's reputation for building competitive programs at the NAIA level. Central to the program's revival was Wacker's emphasis on fundamentals, including a balanced offensive scheme featuring quick-strike plays and a stout defense that produced multiple shutouts during the championship seasons. He fostered high team morale through his infectious enthusiasm and positive energy, which motivated players and contributed to the shift from mediocrity to dominance. Wacker maintained a large roster of over 120 players, providing opportunities for broad participation and development. In terms of recruitment and player development, Wacker targeted local talent and nurtured it into standout performers, producing several selections such as Mike Washington and offensive lineman Phil Dunne. His approach not only elevated individual skills but also built a cohesive unit capable of sustaining success across multiple seasons.

North Dakota State University

Jim Wacker was appointed head football coach at in 1976, bringing momentum from his successful tenure at where he had built a championship program. Over three seasons with the , a team in the , Wacker compiled an overall record of 24–9–1, revitalizing a squad that had struggled to a 2–7 mark the previous year under prior leadership. His arrival marked a swift turnaround, instilling a winning culture through disciplined preparation and emphasis on fundamentals suited to the rigors of Midwestern competition. In 1976, Wacker's first season, the Bison finished 9–3 and captured the North Central Conference title with a perfect 6–0 league record, earning a berth in the playoffs where they advanced to the semifinals before falling 10–3 to Montana State in the Grantland Rice Bowl. The following year, 1977, North Dakota State again dominated the conference at 6–0–1 en route to a 9–2–1 overall mark and another playoff semifinal appearance, losing 31–7 to Jacksonville State in the Grantland Rice Bowl. These back-to-back conference championships highlighted Wacker's ability to foster team unity and strategic execution in a colder climate far from his Texas roots, transforming the Bison into a regional powerhouse. Wacker's defenses played a pivotal role in the Bison's success, holding opponents to low scores in key games and contributing to the team's physical, grind-it-out style that wore down conference foes. The 1978 campaign ended at 6–4 overall (4–2 in conference), a solid but less dominant year that still positioned North Dakota State competitively. Seeking greater opportunities at a larger program, Wacker departed after the season to become at Southwest Texas State University, leaving behind a foundation of sustained excellence that enabled his successor, Don Morton, to build on the momentum and secure a in 1983.

Southwest Texas State University

Jim Wacker served as head football coach at Southwest Texas State University (now ) from 1979 to 1982, compiling an overall record of 42–8, which remains the highest in program history. In his first season of 1979, the Bobcats finished 7–4 overall and 3–4 in the , laying the groundwork for future success. The following year, in 1980, Wacker led the team to its first championship with an 8–3 record, including a 6–1 conference mark. This marked the beginning of three consecutive conference titles, as the Bobcats also claimed the Lone Star crown in 1981 (13–1 overall, 6–1 conference) and 1982 (14–0 overall, 7–0 conference). Wacker's tenure peaked with back-to-back national championships in 1981 and 1982, elevating the program to national prominence. In 1981, despite one regular-season loss, the Bobcats dominated the , defeating Jacksonville State 38–22 in the quarterfinals, 62–0 in the semifinals, and State 42–13 in the championship game. The 1982 season was undefeated at 14–0, with playoff victories over Fort Valley State (27–6), Jacksonville State (19–14), and UC Davis (34–9) in the title game, showcasing playoff dominance during his time there. Key recruits like Mike Miller, who threw for 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns in 1981 while earning MVP honors, along with players such as Mark Mattingly, Elvis Shaw, and Norris Powell, fueled these runs. Wacker was named the 1982 College Division II Coach of the Year by the for his achievements. Central to Wacker's approach was the "Wacker's " philosophy, which emphasized on the field, academic excellence, and personal integrity as core to building character and team success. This mindset not only produced winning teams but also transformed Southwest Texas State football from a regional program into a national powerhouse, drawing widespread attention and setting a standard for holistic athlete development.

Texas Christian University

Jim Wacker served as head football coach at (TCU) from 1983 to 1991, compiling an overall record of 40–58–2 during his nine-year tenure in the competitive (SWC). He inherited a struggling program that had posted a dismal 17–90–3 record over the previous decade, prompting a major rebuilding effort focused on instilling discipline and adapting his high-energy, run-and-shoot offensive blueprint from prior successes at Southwest Texas State. Wacker's first season in 1983 yielded just a 1–8–2 mark, highlighting the initial challenges of transitioning to Division I-A competition against powerhouse SWC rivals like , Texas A&M, and , where superior resources and recruiting pipelines often dominated. The 1984 season marked a dramatic turnaround, as TCU finished 8–4 overall and 5–3 in conference play, tying for third in the SWC and securing the program's first bowl appearance in 13 years. This success propelled the Horned Frogs to the , where they fell 31–12 to , resulting in Wacker's lone bowl record of 0–1 at TCU. For engineering this revival, Wacker earned the Coach of the Year Award and College Football Coach of the Year honors, recognizing his ability to elevate a perennial underdog through innovative schemes and player motivation. The campaign included notable upsets and a peak national ranking of No. 12, TCU's highest since 1960, underscoring the impact of his rebuilding philosophy amid the SWC's intense recruiting battles. Subsequent years brought persistent challenges, including a recruiting where Wacker self-reported violations involving booster payments to seven players, leading to suspensions and NCAA sanctions that hampered momentum and exacerbated recruiting difficulties in a rife with similar issues. The Horned Frogs endured mostly losing seasons from 1985 to 1990, with records ranging from 3–8 to 5–6, as Wacker grappled with talent attrition, financial constraints, and the SWC's cutthroat environment that favored larger programs. Despite these hurdles, he fostered a culture of integrity, culminating in a resurgent 7–4 finish in 1991 that prompted his departure to the for a higher-profile opportunity.

University of Minnesota

Jim Wacker was hired as the head football coach at the in 1991, taking over the Golden Gophers program ahead of the 1992 season. Over his five-year tenure from 1992 to 1996, Wacker compiled an overall record of 16–39, with a particularly challenging 7–31 mark in play. His teams finished with sub-.500 records each year: 2–9 in 1992, 4–7 in 1993, 3–8 in 1994, 3–8 in 1995, and 4–7 in 1996. Amid these on-field difficulties, Wacker prioritized academic excellence and player development, transforming the program into a model of integrity within the competitive Big Ten landscape. His Golden Gophers led the conference in Academic All-Big Ten selections for three consecutive years and topped graduation rates annually during his tenure. Wacker enforced strict behavioral standards and a commitment to NCAA compliance, helping the team avoid scandals that plagued other high-profile programs at the time. The Gophers faced significant challenges against conference rivals, contributing to their poor Big Ten standing, though Wacker's squads achieved notable upsets, including consecutive victories over in 1993 (28–21) and 1994 (17–14). These wins provided rare highlights in an otherwise tough stretch marked by consistent losses to top competition and an emphasis on long-term growth over immediate results. Wacker resigned on November 12, 1996, following a 4–7 season and six straight Big Ten losses, ending his tenure after failing to meet expectations for on-field success despite the academic progress. His departure left a legacy of principled leadership in a demanding conference environment.

Post-coaching career

Broadcasting roles

Following his resignation from the head coaching position at the University of Minnesota in 1996, Jim Wacker entered broadcasting as a color commentator for college football games on CBS Radio, a role he held from 1997 to 1998. Wacker's commentary style was marked by infectious enthusiasm and high energy, traits that carried over from his animated sideline presence during his coaching days. This approach brought a positive, engaging perspective to broadcasts, allowing him to offer insights drawn from his philosophy of emphasizing strategic play and building player character, as developed during his tenure at Southwest Texas State University. Although specific games are not extensively documented, Wacker contributed analysis to various college matchups over these two seasons, leveraging his four decades of football expertise to enhance listener understanding of game dynamics. His time in the booth sustained his visibility within the community following the challenges at , providing a platform to remain connected to the sport he loved before transitioning back to university administration.

Athletic directorship

In 1998, Jim Wacker returned to Southwest Texas State University—his and former coaching post—as , a role he assumed after a stint in . Drawing on his prior success as head football coach from 1979 to 1982, during which he guided the Bobcats to national championships in 1981 and 1982, Wacker provided experienced leadership to the department. As , Wacker oversaw the varsity sports programs, managed departmental budgeting, and emphasized the integration of athletics with academic priorities to support student-athlete success. He focused on efforts to bolster program resources. During his tenure, the department achieved 7 championships, 4 NCAA appearances, and won the Commissioner's Cup for the first time since 1995–96 in his initial two seasons. A key initiative under his tenure involved bolstering the football program's competitiveness within the NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) , building on the sport's established presence at the university since its 1984 elevation to Division I. Wacker retired from the position in 2001 due to health concerns, concluding a three-year term marked by steady administrative guidance during a period of athletic department growth.

Later life, death, and honors

Personal life and family

Jim Wacker married his wife, Lil, in 1961, and their partnership endured for 42 years until his death. Lil was described by Wacker as his best friend, soul mate, and "the greatest coach's wife, EVER," highlighting the deep personal bond that supported his nomadic coaching career across multiple institutions. The couple shared a profound commitment to football both professionally and personally, often celebrating life's joys together. The Wackers raised three sons: Mike, Steve, and Tom. Mike, who later pursued a career himself, resides in with his wife Susie; Steve lives in with his wife Kyrrha; and Tom is based in with his wife Nikki. At the time of Wacker's passing, the included seven grandchildren: Chris, Karl, and David (from Mike); Jaslyn and Jaryn (from Steve); and Genna and Luke (from Tom). The family's unwavering support was integral to Wacker's frequent relocations for positions, embodying his core values of , , and fellowship. Wacker's emphasis on faith and family was deeply influenced by his upbringing as the son of Rev. Herbert Wacker, a Lutheran minister, which instilled a lifelong joyful outlook and commitment to principled living. This Lutheran background shaped his personal philosophy, prioritizing relationships and spiritual growth over material pursuits, as reflected in his frequent affirmations that life revolved around ", , friends, fellowship, fun."

Illness and death

In 2000, Jim Wacker was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. He battled the illness for several years, undergoing treatment while continuing his professional responsibilities as at . In February 2002, Wacker retired from the athletic directorship position, a decision influenced in part by his deteriorating health. As his condition worsened, Wacker entered care at his home in , where he was surrounded by immediate family, including his wife of many years, Lil, and their three sons. In his final weeks, he received visits from dozens of friends, former players, and assistant coaches, reflecting the deep connections he had forged throughout his career. Wacker passed away on August 26, 2003, at the age of 66. His funeral services were held in San Marcos, with visitation on August 28 at Pennington Funeral Home, followed by a ceremony on August 29 at 11 a.m. in Evans Auditorium on the campus, and a graveside service at 3:30 p.m. in San Marcos City Cemetery. Throughout his illness, Wacker's resilience and unwavering positivity—qualities central to his coaching philosophy of enthusiasm and integrity—remained evident, even on his deathbed, where he continued to inspire those around him.

Honors and legacy

Jim Wacker received the (AFCA) College Division Coach of the Year award in 1982 for leading Southwest Texas State to an undefeated national championship season. He also earned the Coach of the Year Award in 1984, along with recognitions as National Coach of the Year from , , and that same year. Wacker was inducted into several halls of fame posthumously and during his lifetime, reflecting his contributions to college football. He entered the Texas Lutheran University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991, honoring his leadership of the Bulldogs to consecutive NAIA Division II national titles in 1974 and 1975. In 2003, Valparaiso University inducted him into its Hall of Fame, recognizing his playing career there as well as his overall coaching success across five institutions. The San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame welcomed him in 2005, citing his 37-year career that produced four national championships and a reputation for positivity. Texas State University added him to its Hall of Honor in 2019, celebrating his 42-8 record as the program's highest winning percentage. In 2003, shortly after Wacker's death, Texas State named the playing field at UFCU Stadium (formerly Bobcat Stadium) Jim Wacker Field to honor his tenure as coach and athletic director. His legacy endures through four national championships—two NAIA titles at Texas Lutheran and two NCAA Division II crowns at Southwest Texas State in 1981 and 1982—while emphasizing player academics and program integrity, as his teams at Minnesota led the Big Ten in graduation rates and academic honors for multiple years. Wacker's influence extended to his son, Mike Wacker, a longtime basketball coach at Texas Lutheran University who retired in 2022 after walking in his father's footsteps and achieving his own successes in high school and college coaching. Peers remembered him for his boundless enthusiasm and ethical approach; former TCU athletic director Eric Hyman described his energy as "contagious" and always "positive and upbeat," while Minnesota coach Glen Mason praised his honesty and deep care for student-athletes' development beyond the field.

Head coaching record

College record

Jim Wacker compiled a head coaching record across five college programs spanning 26 seasons from 1971 to 1996. His teams achieved notable success at the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels early in his career before transitioning to Division I.
YearSchoolConferenceConf. RecordOverall RecordNotes
1971Texas LutheranIndependent—3–7
1972Texas LutheranIndependent—5–5
1973Texas LutheranIndependent—8–3
1974Texas LutheranIndependent—11–0NAIA Division II national champions
1975Texas LutheranIndependent—11–1NAIA Division II national champions
1976North Dakota StateNCC6–09–3NCC champions
1977North Dakota StateNCC6–0–19–2–1NCC champions
1978North Dakota StateNCC3–36–4
1979Southwest Texas StateLSC3–47–4
1980Southwest Texas StateLSC6–18–3LSC champions
1981Southwest Texas StateLSC6–113–1LSC champions, NCAA Division II national champions
1982Southwest Texas StateLSC7–014–0LSC champions, NCAA Division II national champions, AFCA College Division Coach of the Year
1983TCUSWC1–6–11–8–2
1984TCUSWC5–38–4Bluebonnet Bowl (L 14–31 vs. West Virginia)
1985TCUSWC0–83–8
1986TCUSWC1–73–8
1987TCUSWC3–45–6
1988TCUSWC2–54–7
1989TCUSWC2–64–7
1990TCUSWC3–55–6
1991TCUSWC4–47–4
1992MinnesotaBig Ten2–62–9
1993MinnesotaBig Ten3–54–7
1994MinnesotaBig Ten1–73–8
1995MinnesotaBig Ten1–73–8
1996MinnesotaBig Ten1–74–7
Wacker's overall college head coaching record was 160–130–3.

Playoff and bowl record

During his tenure as head coach, Jim Wacker led his teams to four national championships across NAIA Division II and NCAA Division II levels, compiling an overall playoff record of 11–3 in 14 postseason games across seven appearances. His squads demonstrated dominance in lower-division playoffs, particularly through back-to-back titles at Texas Lutheran University in 1974 and 1975, and consecutive NCAA Division II crowns at Southwest Texas State University in 1981 and 1982. These successes highlighted Wacker's ability to prepare teams for high-stakes environments, often shutting out or overwhelming opponents in key matchups. Wacker's playoff achievements began at Texas Lutheran, where his teams advanced to the NAIA Division II semifinals both years en route to undefeated national campaigns. In 1974, the Bulldogs defeated Linfield College 52–8 in the semifinals before claiming the title with a 42–0 of Missouri Valley College in . The following year, they edged 32–13 in the semifinals and secured the championship 34–8 against in . At , Wacker's teams made three consecutive playoff appearances from 1976 to 1978, winning two first-round games but falling in the semifinals twice. In 1976, they edged 10–7 before a 3–10 loss to . The 1977 Bison upset 20–6 in the first round but lost 7–31 to in the semifinals. In 1978, they were eliminated 7–24 by in the first round. Wacker's pinnacle came at Southwest Texas State, where his teams qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1981 and 1982, going undefeated in five games combined. In 1981, the Bobcats received a first-round bye, then dismantled Northern Michigan 62–0 in the semifinals and defeated Wacker's former program, North Dakota State, 42–13 in the championship game at McAllen, Texas. Repeating as champions in 1982, they opened with a 27–6 first-round win over Fort Valley State College, followed by a 19–14 semifinal victory against Jacksonville State, and capped the season with a 34–9 title-game triumph over the University of California, Davis, again in McAllen. These back-to-back undefeated playoff runs cemented Wacker's reputation as a postseason architect.
YearTeamRoundOpponentResult
1974Texas LutheranSemifinalLinfieldW, 52–8
1974Texas LutheranChampionshipMissouri ValleyW, 42–0
1975Texas LutheranSemifinalW, 32–13
1975Texas LutheranChampionshipCalifornia LutheranW, 34–8
1976North Dakota StateFirst RoundEastern KentuckyW, 10–7
1976North Dakota StateSemifinalMontana StateL, 3–10
1977North Dakota StateFirst RoundW, 20–6
1977North Dakota StateSemifinalJacksonville StateL, 7–31
1978North Dakota StateFirst RoundL, 7–24
1981Southwest Texas StateSemifinalW, 62–0
1981Southwest Texas StateChampionshipNorth Dakota StateW, 42–13
1982Southwest Texas StateFirst RoundFort Valley StateW, 27–6
1982Southwest Texas StateSemifinalJacksonville StateW, 19–14
1982Southwest Texas StateChampionshipUC DavisW, 34–9
Wacker's bowl record at the Division I level was limited to one appearance, a 14–31 loss to in the 1984 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl while coaching TCU. The Horned Frogs, finishing 8–3, struggled offensively in the matchup, managing just 279 total yards against a Mountaineers defense that forced three turnovers. This postseason outing marked TCU's first bowl since but underscored the challenges of transitioning Wacker's small-college system to major-college competition. No additional bowl games occurred during his later stints at TCU, , or elsewhere.

References

  1. https://gofrogs.com/news/2003/8/26/Former_Football_Coach_Jim_Wacker_Passes_Away
  2. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-aug-29-me-passings29.2-story.html
  3. https://sanantoniosports.org/hof-members/jim-wacker/
  4. https://valpoathletics.com/honors/hall-of-fame/jim-wacker/64
  5. https://txst.com/honors/hall-of-honor/jim-wacker/209
  6. https://www.cune.edu/athletics/teams/football/news/famed-wacker-got-collegiate-coaching-start-concordia
  7. https://tlubulldogs.com/honors/hall-of-fame/jim-wacker/80
  8. https://museum.phideltatheta.org/famous/jim-wacker/
  9. https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/tlubulldogs.com/documents/2018/9/5/tlu_football_guide_2018_final_7.pdf
  10. http://www.espn.com/classic/obit/s/2003/0826/1603557.html
  11. http://c919297.r97.cf2.rackcdn.com/20zhbktwfwyatyc7m9mmzqwttbtqgx-optimized-pub.pdf
  12. https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/tlubulldogs.com/documents/2016/8/25/tlu_fb_media_guide_final_draft_forweb3_2016.pdf
  13. https://gobison.com/sports/football/schedule/1975
  14. https://gobison.com/sports/2016/8/18/ndsu-conference-championships.aspx
  15. https://gobison.com/sports/2016/1/19/FB_0119163617.aspx
  16. https://www.brainerddispatch.com/opinion/jim-wacker
  17. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jim-wacker-1.html
  18. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/texas-christian/1984.html
  19. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/12/30/West-Virginia-TCU-Meet-in-Bluebonnet-Bowl/7394473230800/
  20. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35343257/jim-wacker-ex-tcu-coach-turned-own-team-ncaa
  21. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/12/29/minnesota-lands-tcus-wacker/
  22. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-28-sp-1033-story.html
  23. https://gophersports.com/news/2003/8/26/Former_Golden_Gopher_Football_Coach_Jim_Wacker_Passes_Away
  24. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/11/12/Wacker-resigns-at-Minnesota/1164847774800/
  25. https://gophersports.com/sports/2018/5/21/sports-m-footbl-spec-rel-yearly-records-html.aspx
  26. https://mndaily.com/194841/uncategorized/football-woesoff-field-rivalthose-field/
  27. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-10-24-sp-49253-story.html
  28. https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/opponent-history/university-of-minnesota/11
  29. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/nov/13/minnesotas-wacker-resigns/
  30. https://www.postbulletin.com/news/wacker-dead-at-66-ex-minnesota-football-coach-dies-of-cancer
  31. https://ulrepo2.ul.txstate.edu/sites/default/files/2024-05/UA_FB-game-2000-11-11.pdf
  32. https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2019/11/29/football-celebrating-cfb150-a-series-texas-state.aspx
  33. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sanantonio/name/james-wacker-obituary?id=50166222
  34. https://txst.com/facilities/ufcu-stadium/1
  35. https://seguintoday.com/2022/06/02/mike-wacker-retires-after-37-years-of-coaching/
  36. https://tlubulldogs.com/honors/hall-of-fame/1974-tlc-football-team/162
  37. https://tlubulldogs.com/honors/hall-of-fame/1975-tlc-football-team/163
  38. https://gobison.com/sports/football/schedule/1976
  39. https://gobison.com/sports/football/schedule/1977
  40. https://www.ncaa.com/history/football/d2
  41. https://txst.com/hof.aspx?hof=209
  42. https://gobison.com/sports/2015/7/7/FB_0707152846.aspx
  43. https://wvusports.com/news/1984/12/31/football-west-virginia-grabs-bluebonnet-victory.aspx
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.