Jim Hershberger

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Jim Hershberger
Biographical details
Born(1934-05-13)May 13, 1934
Kalona, Iowa, U.S.
DiedJanuary 25, 2002(2002-01-25) (aged 67)
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Alma materNortheast Missouri State
Playing career
1953–1956Iowa State Teachers
Position(s)Back, end, tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1957–1958Janesville HS (WI)
1959–1965Algona HS (IA)
1966Northeast Missouri State (GA)
1967–1968Illinois State (OL)
1969Illinois State (OC/OL)
1970–1989Buena Vista
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1989–1994Buena Vista
Head coaching record
Overall122–65–1 (college)
37–21–6 (high school)
Bowls1–0
Tournaments1–2 (NCAA D-III playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3 Iowa Conference (1972–1973, 1978)
Awards
Buena Vista Hall of Fame (2001)
5× Iowa Conference Coach of the Year (1971, 1973, 1976, 1983, 1986)

James Monroe Hershberger (May 13, 1934 – January 25, 2002) was an American athletic director and college football coach. He was the head football coach for Buena Vista College—now known as Buena Vista University—from 1970 to 1989.

Early life and playing career[edit]

Hershberger was born on May 13, 1934, in Kalona, Iowa, to Edward and Edna Hershberger.[1] He attended Kalona High School.[2] He lettered in football, basketball, and track and field.[2] He played college football for Iowa State Teachers—now known as Northern Iowa—as a back, end, and tackle.[2][3]

Coaching career[edit]

Following Hershberger's college graduation he was named head football coach for Janesville High School—now known as Joseph A. Craig High School. In two seasons as head coach he led the team to a 12–3–1 record.[2] In 1959, he was hired to be the head football coach for Algona High School. In seven seasons as head coach he led the team to a 25–19–5 record including a conference title and a 7–0–1 record in 1961.[2][4] He joined Northeast Missouri State—now known as Truman—as a graduate assistant while he worked on his master's degree.[1][2] In 1967, Hershberger was named the offensive line coach for Illinois State.[5][6] In 1969, he was promoted to offensive coordinator while maintaining his role as offensive line coach.[7][8]

In 1970, Hershberger was named the head football coach for Buena Vista.[8][9][10][11] After finishing his first season 1–8,[7] he led the school to eleven consecutive winning seasons, which included three Iowa Conference titles, in 1972, 1973, and 1978.[8][12] In 1975, Buena Vista finished with an overall record of 8–2 and won the Boot Hill Bowl.[12] The following year the team finished 7–1–1 and reached the NCAA Division III Semifinal for the school's first-ever Division III playoff appearance.[12] He retired from coaching following the 1989 season.[13] In twenty seasons with Buena Vista he led them to an overall record of 122–65–1 and won Iowa Conference Coach of the Year honors five times.[12][14]

Following Hershberger's retirement from coaching he was named athletic director for Buena Vista.[13] He served in the role until his complete retirement in 1994.[12]

Personal life and honors[edit]

In 2001, Hershberger was inducted into the Buena Vista Hall of Fame.[15]

On June 16, 1957, Hershberger married Floy Baumgartner.[1] They had three sons together.[1]

Health and death[edit]

In 1983, during a game against Dubuque, Hershberger suffered a heart attack.[16] He was treated at Mercy Hospital and was in critical condition.[16] He died on January 25, 2002, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa from cancer and heart disease.[1][13][17]

Head coaching record[edit]

College[edit]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs NAIA D2# D3°
Buena Vista Beavers (Iowa Conference) (1970–1989)
1970 Buena Vista 1–8 1–6 T–7th
1971 Buena Vista 6–2 5–2 T–2nd
1972 Buena Vista 7–2 6–1 T–1st T–14
1973 Buena Vista 8–1 7–0 1st 9
1974 Buena Vista 5–4 4–3 T–3rd
1975 Buena Vista 8–2 6–1 2nd W Boot Hill 9
1976 Buena Vista 7–1–1 5–1–1 2nd L NCAA Division III Semifinal
1977 Buena Vista 7–2 5–2 3rd
1978 Buena Vista 7–2 5–2 T–1st
1979 Buena Vista 7–2 6–1 2nd
1980 Buena Vista 6–3 5–2 T–2nd
1981 Buena Vista 7–2 5–2 2nd
1982 Buena Vista 4–5 3–4 5th
1983 Buena Vista 5–5 5–2 3rd
1984 Buena Vista 7–3 5–2 T–2nd
1985 Buena Vista 4–6 2–5 T–5th
1986 Buena Vista 9–2 7–1 2nd L NCAA Division III First Round T–15
1987 Buena Vista 5–5 5–3 3rd
1988 Buena Vista 7–3 5–3 3rd
1989 Buena Vista 5–5 3–5 T–6th
Buena Vista: 122–65–1 95–48–1
Total: 122–65–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

High school[edit]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Janesville Cougars () (1957–1958)
Janesville: 12–3–1
Algona Bulldogs () (1959–1965)
1959 Algona 2–4–2
1960 Algona 5–3
1961 Algona 7–0–1
1962 Algona 1–6–1
1963 Algona 4–3–1
1964 Algona 6–2
Algona: 25–19–5
Total: 37–21–6
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Nagy, Paul (May 31, 2010). "Hershberger, Jim "Coach Hersh" (1934-2002)". iagenweb.org. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Hershberger Resigns As AHS Coach". The Algona Upper Des Moines. April 19, 1966. p. 7. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  3. ^ "Jim Hershberger One Of 14 Tutor Lettermen". Iowa City Press-Citizen. August 22, 1956. p. 15. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Hershberger resigns; Christie new Algona football coach". Kossuth County Advance. April 18, 1966. p. 1. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "Linebacker, Offensive Guard Posts Redbird Strong Points". The Pantagraph. September 12, 1967. p. 8. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  6. ^ "26 ISU Lettermen Report Aug. 30". The Pantagraph. August 13, 1967. p. 19. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Buena Vista Hosts Eagles". Le Mars Daily Sentinel. September 14, 1972. p. 10. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Barnhart, Jim (August 16, 1981). "Hershberger literally one-man show in Iowa". The Pantagraph. p. 15. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  9. ^ "Illinois State Aide Leaves for Head Job". Evansville Courier and Press. February 28, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  10. ^ "Hershberger Buena Vista Grid Coach". Des Moines Tribune. February 27, 1970. p. 20. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  11. ^ "Jim Hershberger new Buena Vista football coach". Globe-Gazette. February 28, 1970. p. 8. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Hershberger steps down". Sioux City Journal. June 24, 1994. p. 12. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c "Ex-football coach at Buena Vista dies". Omaha World-Herald. January 28, 2002. p. 16. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  14. ^ "All-Conference & Coaches of the Year". Buena Vista University. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  15. ^ "Jim Hershberger (2001) - Hall of Fame". Buena Vista University. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Grett, Wayne (September 26, 1983). "B.V. coach suffers heart attack". The Des Moines Register. p. 11. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  17. ^ "Jim Hershberger, 67". Iowa City Press-Citizen. January 29, 2002. p. 4. Retrieved March 28, 2024.

External links[edit]

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