| Frosty Westering remains the
last D-III coach besides Larry Kehres to leave Salem
victorious. 1999 D3football.com photo by Pat Coleman |
After 32 years at Pacific Lutheran, legendary head coach Frosty
Westering announced today he would step down following the 2003
football season.
Westering, 75, a member of a select group of college football
coaches who have won at least 250 games, has announced his decision
to retire from the gridiron at the end of the 2003 season.
"My career at PLU has been more than anyone could have hoped or
imagined," Westering said. "The chance to make a difference in the
lives of generations of PLU students has been a true blessing for
me. We have all made the big time right here."
Pacific Lutheran president Loren Anderson said Westering has been
an institution at PLU. "Frosty has served PLU as a coach, a
professor and a mentor. He has built a following among his players
and personal relationships in the community that cannot be matched.
I"ll miss Frosty. We'll all miss Frosty."
According to Paul Hoseth, PLU athletic director, few people have
had a greater positive impact for more PLU students than Frosty.
"It has been an amazing run," Hoseth said. "We wish Donna and
Frosty many years of good health and continuing to make the
‘big time where they are'."
A national search for a new head coach will begin at the end of
the football season, Hoseth said.
Entering this season, Westering has a career record of 299-93-7 in
38 years of coaching, including 255-67-5 in 32 years at PLU. His
career record is 10th among coaches in all divisions who have won
at least 250 games. That list includes Eddie Robinson, John
Gagliardi, Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, Paul "Bear" Bryant, Charles
"Pop" Warner, Amos Alonzo Stagg and Tom Osborne. He is second
all-time in victories for Division III coaches. With his first
victory this season, Westering will be one of just nine coaches who
have won 300 games in their career.
No PLU team under his guidance has suffered a losing season. The
1999 team won the Division III national championship, defeating
Rowan in Stagg Bowl XXVII.