John Snell '87
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- Title:
- Associate Director of Athletics
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- Phone:
- 440-826-2069
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- Email:
- jsnell@bw.edu
John Snell '87 enters his 28th season and his first as the Associate Director of Athletics at Baldwin Wallace University in 2021-22. Snell served as interim director of athletics for the 2020-21 academic year after serving as the Aassistant director for two seasons. He was the head football coach for 15 seasons.
As associate director, Snell is in charge of team travel while assisting with all other aspects within in the departmen. During his tenure as head football coach, he led the Yellow Jackets to the NCAA Division III National Playoffs in 2003 and compiled an impressive 92-60 career record with a .605 winning percentage. He mentored 122 All-Ohio Athletic Conference and 102 Academic All-OAC student-athletes.
Snell previously served as an assistant coach in charge of quarterbacks and recruiting and was the offensive coordinator for five years. In the spring of 2001, Snell was elevated to assistant head coach. Snell succeeded the legendary Bob Packard as head coach in 2002. Packard (156 victories), College Football Hall of Famer Lee Tressel (155 wins) and Ray E. Watts (104 wins) are the only BW head coaches with more wins than Snell.
In his first season as the head coach of the Yellow Jackets, Snell led his team to an impressive 8-2 overall record. He was selected as the OAC Co-Coach of the Year by his peers. In 2003, Snell's program went two steps further. He led the Yellow Jackets to a 10-2 record, an NCAA Division III Playoff berth and advanced to the second round. In 2006, Snell earned his second OAC Co-Coach of the Year honor.
Prior to returning to his alma mater, Snell coached at the University of Rochester (1987-88 and again from 1992-94), at Rutgers University (1988-90) and the University of Buffalo (1990-92). Snell is a native of Albion, New York and graduated from Albion High School in 1983.
Snell and his wife, Shelly, reside in Strongsville and have three children.