Scott Bostwick
Encyclopedia
Scott Bostwick was an American football
player and coach in the United States
. He served as the defensive coordinator
at Northwest Missouri State University
from 1994 to 2010 under head coach Mel Tjeerdsma
, during which time the Bearcats captured three NCAA Division II National Football Championship
s, in 1998, 1999, and 2009. In 2007, Bostwick was named the AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year in 2007. He succeeded Tjeerdsma as head coach following the 2010 season, but died of a heart attack the following June.
one of the eight children of parents Robert Bostwick and June (Staab) Bostwick Blair. Bostwick was raised in the Omaha area and was a 1979 graduate of Omaha North High School
. He then attended Nebraska Wesleyan University
, earning a Bachelors degree in 1984. While at Nebraska Wesleyan Bostwick was a four-year letterman in football and finished his playing career as the Prairie Wolves third leading tackler all-time. Bostwick was inducted in the school's athletic hall of fame in October 2006.
in 1990, taking over as defensive coordinator for Western Washington University
until 1994.
as defensive coordinator at Northwest Missouri State University
, a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The MIAA had already produced several NCAA Division II playoff teams, and one National Champion, Pittsburg State
in 1991. After a disappointing 0–11 season in 1994, the Bearcats would over the ensuing 16 seasons win or share 12 MIAA conference titles, make the Division II playoffs 15 times, appear in seven national title games
and win three NCAA Division II National Championships. Bostwick's strong defenses were key to the Bearcats success, allowing only eight opposing players to rush for 100 yards or more over a period of 77 games between 2007 and 2010. For his efforts Bostwick was named the AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year in 2007. Two of Bostwick's defensive players, Dave Tollefson
and Steve Williams have gone on to professional football careers in the NFL
.
.
Three week after Bostwick's death Adam Dorrel
, who was the offensive coach under Tjeersdma and who had played with him in the first 1993 0-11 season succeeded Bostwick. Bostwick had earlier named him assistant coach. On July 7 Bostwick's brother Chad Bostwick who had been a walk on player at Northwest under Bostwick was named linebackers coach under Dorrel.
.
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 and coach in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He served as 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...
at Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is a state university in Maryville, Missouri. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, it offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The campus, based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, is the official Missouri State Arboretum....
from 1994 to 2010 under head coach Mel Tjeerdsma
Mel Tjeerdsma
Mel Tjeerdsma is a retired American football coach. He served as the head coach at Austin College in Sherman, Texas from 1984 to 1993 and at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri from 1994 until his retirement after the 2010 season. In his 27 years as a head coach, Tjeerdsma...
, during which time the Bearcats captured three NCAA Division II National Football Championship
NCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
s, in 1998, 1999, and 2009. In 2007, Bostwick was named the AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year in 2007. He succeeded Tjeerdsma as head coach following the 2010 season, but died of a heart attack the following June.
Early life and playing career
Bostwick was born June 22, 1961 in Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
one of the eight children of parents Robert Bostwick and June (Staab) Bostwick Blair. Bostwick was raised in the Omaha area and was a 1979 graduate of Omaha North High School
Omaha North High School
Omaha North High Magnet School is a public high school located at 4410 N 36th Street in Omaha, Nebraska. The school is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics magnet school in the Omaha Public Schools district. North has won several awards, including being named a 2007 Magnet Schools of...
. He then attended Nebraska Wesleyan University
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private, coeducational university located in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was founded in 1887 by Nebraska Methodists. As of 2007, it has 1,600 full-time students and 300 faculty and staff. The school teaches in the tradition of a liberal arts college education....
, earning a Bachelors degree in 1984. While at Nebraska Wesleyan Bostwick was a four-year letterman in football and finished his playing career as the Prairie Wolves third leading tackler all-time. Bostwick was inducted in the school's athletic hall of fame in October 2006.
Coaching career
Bostwick stayed on as a coaching assistant at Nebraska Wesleyan following graduation, and served as the programs defensive coordinator from 1986 to 1990. He next headed west to Bellingham, WashingtonBellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
in 1990, taking over as defensive coordinator for Western Washington University
Western Washington University
Western Washington University is one of six state-funded, four-year universities of higher education in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in Bellingham and offers bachelor's and master's degrees.-History:...
until 1994.
Building a Bearcat dynasty
In 1994, Bostwick's next career move brought his greatest success as he joined new head coach Mel TjeerdsmaMel Tjeerdsma
Mel Tjeerdsma is a retired American football coach. He served as the head coach at Austin College in Sherman, Texas from 1984 to 1993 and at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri from 1994 until his retirement after the 2010 season. In his 27 years as a head coach, Tjeerdsma...
as defensive coordinator at Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is a state university in Maryville, Missouri. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, it offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The campus, based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, is the official Missouri State Arboretum....
, a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The MIAA had already produced several NCAA Division II playoff teams, and one National Champion, Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg State University, also called Pitt State or PSU, is a public university with approximately 7,100 students located in Pittsburg, Kansas, United States. A large percentage of the student population consists of residents within the Pittsburg region; the gender proportion is relatively equal...
in 1991. After a disappointing 0–11 season in 1994, the Bearcats would over the ensuing 16 seasons win or share 12 MIAA conference titles, make the Division II playoffs 15 times, appear in seven national title games
NCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
and win three NCAA Division II National Championships. Bostwick's strong defenses were key to the Bearcats success, allowing only eight opposing players to rush for 100 yards or more over a period of 77 games between 2007 and 2010. For his efforts Bostwick was named the AFCA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year in 2007. Two of Bostwick's defensive players, Dave Tollefson
Dave Tollefson
Dave Tollefson is an American football defensive end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round, with the 253rd pick of the 2006 NFL Draft...
and Steve Williams have gone on to professional football careers in the 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...
.
Appointment as head coach and death
On December 31, 2010 Northwest officials announced that Bostwick would succeed the just-retired Tjeerdsma as the Bearcats 18th head coach. Bostwick said he did not even know that Tjeersdma was going to retire until being told the week before his Christmas week announcement. At a press event following his promotion to top Bearcat, Bostwick told the media, "I've been a coordinator for 26 years and if I was ever going to be a head coach, this is where I wanted to be." Bostwick, however, never had the chance to serve Northwest as head coach in an official game. On Sunday morning, June 5, 2011 Bostwick was at home mowing the yard when he collapsed and died of a heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
.
Three week after Bostwick's death Adam Dorrel
Adam Dorrel
Adam Dorrel is current head coach of the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football team in Maryville, MissouriDorrel is the only Maryville native to coach the team. He graduated from Maryville High School where he was a two-time all conference and all district lineman...
, who was the offensive coach under Tjeersdma and who had played with him in the first 1993 0-11 season succeeded Bostwick. Bostwick had earlier named him assistant coach. On July 7 Bostwick's brother Chad Bostwick who had been a walk on player at Northwest under Bostwick was named linebackers coach under Dorrel.
Personal life
Bostwick had three brothers, four sisters, four step-brothers and one step-sister. On December 30, 1988 Bostwick married Susan Duckworth. They would have two children, a daughter and a son. Bostwick was a member of St. Gregory Barbargio Catholic Church as well as the Maryville Elk's LodgeBenevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
.