BEREA, OHIO -- Bob Packard, who guided the football
program at Baldwin-Wallace College for 21 years, announced his
decision to retire from coaching on January 31. He will remain at
the College in his teaching capacity through the end of the current
academic year.
"I have been truly blessed," said Packard of his career that spanned 34 years as a player, assistant coach and then head coach at Baldwin-Wallace College. "I always knew that I wanted to be a football coach. How many people get a chance to get their dream job at a place they love?
"My fondest memories will be of the tons of players who became great alumni and great citizens of our country," he added. "There were thousands of young men who gave everything they had in an effort to be successful. I don't remember a one that I didn't really love when everything was said and done."
Earlier this year, Packard recorded his 156th career victory to surpass the legendary Lee Tressel -- his coach and mentor -- for the most coaching wins in Baldwin-Wallace history. A scholar-athlete, quarterback and safety, Packard participated in 285 victories; 58 percent of all wins in the school's football history that dates to 1893.
"It would be a terrible injustice to measure Bob's impact on this College in terms of victories," said B-W president Mark H. Collier. "More impressive than his career statistics is the quality of the person. He is an outstanding teacher and tireless worker, who devoted countless hours to the development of his team of players and students. He was equally generous with many others across the campus. Bob Packard's honesty, integrity, care and compassion are qualities that we hold dear at B-W."
John Snell is a 1987 graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College. He was on the coaching staffs at the University of Rochester (1987-88 and again from 1992-94), Rutgers University (1988-90) and the University of Buffalo (1990-92). He returned to B-W in 1994 as an assistant coach. Most recently he was assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.
"When we talked about the opportunity, John said that he felt a national search was in the best interest of the College. He also added that he would not want the position without the validation of a search," noted Collier. "While we feel the loss at Bob Packard's decision to retire from coaching, we are confident that the football program remains in good hands."
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please call SID Kevin Ruple at (440) 826-2327, FAX him at (440) 826-2329 or e-mail him at kruple@bw.edu.