Dennis Raetz
Encyclopedia
Dennis Raetz was an American football
player; coach and scout of football. He was the defensive coordinator
for the Indiana State Sycamores
in 1978 and 1979. He also served as a scout for the Edmonton Eskimos
from 2003
to 2005
when the franchise won its last two Grey Cup
Championships. He is the leader at Indiana State in tenure (18 seasons), wins (94) and playoff appearances (2).
At Indiana State, Raetz coached the Sycamores in 200 games, finishing with a record of 94-105-1. He coached 8 First Team All-Americans; 65 All-Missouri Valley/Missouri Valley Football players, 6 Collegiate All-Star players, 8 Conference Players of the Year and sent 14 players to the professional ranks; most notably:
But his coaching staffs delivered, too. Among the assistant coaches who worked for Raetz and went on to NFL head coach, assistant coach or player personnel positions were Sean Payton
(New Orleans Saints
), Dave McGinnis
(Arizona Cardinals
), (Tennessee Titans
), Pete Hoener (San Francisco 49ers
), Bobby Turner
(Washington Redskins
), Dave Magazu (Carolina Panthers
) and Alvin Reynolds (Baltimore Ravens
), (Atlanta Falcons
).
His two best seasons were 1983 and 1984 as he led the Sycamores to consecutive playoff appearances, in 1983, Indiana State finished at 8-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Div 1-AA playoffs before dropping a heartbreaker to conference foe, Southern Illinois. The Sycamores took the momentum gained from 1983 season and ran off nine straight victories to open the 1984 season; they achieved the top spot in the nation with a No. 1 ranking. The Indiana State season came to an abrupt end, as the Sycamores dropped a 42-41 OT decision in their 2nd consecutive Pecan Bowl
. Raetz led the Sycamores football team to 2 of its 3 9-win seasons, the highest victory total in 106 years of Sycamore football.
Prior to joining the Sycamores staff, Raetz was an assistant coach at the University of Missouri
during the 1977
; developing a professional partnership with Dick Jamieson
that would lead to Terre Haute, Indiana
and the Indiana State Sycamores. Joining Dick Jamieson
as the defensive coordinator / linebackers coach at Indiana State, when Jamieson was tapped as the 14th head coach in Indiana State history; two seasons later, when Jamieson was hired onto the staff of the NFL's Cardinals, Raetz succeeded him as the 15th coach for the Indiana State Sycamores
.
Raetz began a coaching career that took him from North Kansas City High, where his teams were renowned for their defensive prowess, to a head coaching position at the J.C Harmon High; where he coached future NFL
Pro Bowler Mark Haynes
. He left there to join the staff at the University of Missouri
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player; coach and scout of football. He was the defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the Indiana State Sycamores
Indiana State Sycamores
The Indiana State University Sycamores are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Indiana State University. They are members of the Missouri Valley Conference, joining in the 1977-78 academic year; past conference memberships include the Indiana College Athletic League , the Indiana Intercollegiate...
in 1978 and 1979. He also served as a scout for the Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton Eskimos
The Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895...
from 2003
2003 CFL season
The 2003 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 50th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 46th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2003:...
to 2005
2005 CFL season
The 2005 Canadian Football League season is considered to be the 52nd season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 48th Canadian Football League season.-CFL News in 2005:...
when the franchise won its last two Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
Championships. He is the leader at Indiana State in tenure (18 seasons), wins (94) and playoff appearances (2).
At Indiana State, Raetz coached the Sycamores in 200 games, finishing with a record of 94-105-1. He coached 8 First Team All-Americans; 65 All-Missouri Valley/Missouri Valley Football players, 6 Collegiate All-Star players, 8 Conference Players of the Year and sent 14 players to the professional ranks; most notably:
- Tunch IlkinTunch IlkinTunch Ilkin is a Turkish sports broadcaster and a former American football player. He currently serves as a television and radio analyst for the Pittsburgh Steelers.-Biography:...
, an offensive tackle who played for the Steelers and Packers. - Wayne DavisWayne DavisWayne Elliot Davis was an American football cornerback in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, the Buffalo Bills, and the Washington Redskins...
, a cornerback with the Chargers, Bills and Redskins. - Vencie GlennVencie GlennVencie Leonard Glenn is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft. He played college football at Indiana State.Glenn also played for the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota...
, the safety who played for the Patriots, Chargers, Saints, Vikings and Giants. - Mike Simmons, a defensive lineman who played for the Saints.
But his coaching staffs delivered, too. Among the assistant coaches who worked for Raetz and went on to NFL head coach, assistant coach or player personnel positions were Sean Payton
Sean Payton
Patrick Sean Payton is the current head coach of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. Payton was a quarterback at Naperville Central High School and Eastern Illinois University and played professionally in 1987 and 1988...
(New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
), Dave McGinnis
Dave McGinnis
Dave McGinnis is the linebackers coach of the Tennessee Titans. He formerly was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2000 through 2003.-Biography:...
(Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
), (Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
), Pete Hoener (San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
), Bobby Turner
Bobby Turner
Robert "Bobby" Turner is the Washington Redskins running backs coach. He held the same position in Denver from 1995–2009; he also worked for 20 years as a college assistant and has 39 combined years of coaching experience at the professional, collegiate and high school levels.In his final...
(Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
), Dave Magazu (Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
) and Alvin Reynolds (Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
), (Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
).
His two best seasons were 1983 and 1984 as he led the Sycamores to consecutive playoff appearances, in 1983, Indiana State finished at 8-2 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Div 1-AA playoffs before dropping a heartbreaker to conference foe, Southern Illinois. The Sycamores took the momentum gained from 1983 season and ran off nine straight victories to open the 1984 season; they achieved the top spot in the nation with a No. 1 ranking. The Indiana State season came to an abrupt end, as the Sycamores dropped a 42-41 OT decision in their 2nd consecutive Pecan Bowl
Pecan Bowl
Pecan Bowl, a postseason college football bowl game, was first played at Shotwell Stadium located in Abilene, Texas. The first game took place in December 1964, and was played there each year until 1968, when the location was moved to Arlington, Texas. One of four regional playoff bowls of the NCAA...
. Raetz led the Sycamores football team to 2 of its 3 9-win seasons, the highest victory total in 106 years of Sycamore football.
Prior to joining the Sycamores staff, Raetz was an assistant coach at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
during the 1977
1977 college football season
The 1977 college football season was one in which the top five teams all finished with records of 11-1-0. Notre Dame, which beat a #1 ranked Texas team in the Cotton Bowl Classic, became the national champion. The year 1977 was the last before NCAA's Division I was divided into I-A and I-AA...
; developing a professional partnership with Dick Jamieson
Dick Jamieson
Richard Alexander Jamieson was an American football and baseball player and coach of football. He was the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League in 1997. He also served as offensive coordinator for the Cardinals in 1985 when the franchise was in St...
that would lead to Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
and the Indiana State Sycamores. Joining Dick Jamieson
Dick Jamieson
Richard Alexander Jamieson was an American football and baseball player and coach of football. He was the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League in 1997. He also served as offensive coordinator for the Cardinals in 1985 when the franchise was in St...
as the defensive coordinator / linebackers coach at Indiana State, when Jamieson was tapped as the 14th head coach in Indiana State history; two seasons later, when Jamieson was hired onto the staff of the NFL's Cardinals, Raetz succeeded him as the 15th coach for the Indiana State Sycamores
Indiana State Sycamores football
The Indiana State Sycamores football team is the NCAA Division I men's football program of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. They currently compete in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Playoffs in the 1984 NCAA Division I Football...
.
Raetz began a coaching career that took him from North Kansas City High, where his teams were renowned for their defensive prowess, to a head coaching position at the J.C Harmon High; where he coached future NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
Pro Bowler Mark Haynes
Mark Haynes
Mark Haynes is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League who played in three Pro Bowls as a member of the New York Giants, and in three Super Bowls for the Denver Broncos....
. He left there to join the staff at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
.