Contact Coach Widolff
dwidolff@oxy.edu, (323) 259-2708

Occidental football, now in its 108th season, has enjoyed unparalleled success in the last 26 years under Dale Widolff.  The Tigers claimed the tenth SCIAC title of Widolff's tenure in 2006, made their sixth post-season appearance, and finished the season ranked 15th in both the AFCA and D3Football.com national polls.

Occidental has won four SCIAC titles in the past seven years with a combined record of 55-13 overall, the most wins of any nationally ranked liberal arts college in that span. The 2005 squad, which featured an elite group of 21 seniors, posted a perfect 9-0 regular season record and ranked as high as fifth before losing to defending national champion Linfield in the NCAA Division III first round.

The 2004 squad won two postseason games for the first time in school history and finished eighth in the final AFCA poll, the program's fourth top eight finish.  The 2001 squad clinched the conference title after an 8-1 campaign and a perfect 5-0 mark in league play. 

"Our success is a result of our ability to encourage quality football players to come to Occidental," says Widolff. "When we recruit prospective student-athletes, we look for individuals who are competitors, who love to play football, and who aren't afraid to make a dual commitment to athletics and education. We believe that young men who possess these outstanding characteristics are the reason why we've enjoyed so much success over the years."

Widolff attended the University of Indianapolis where he played center and outside linebacker. He graduated in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in Social Studies - Secondary Education. Prior to Occidental, Widolff served on the coaching staffs at Kansas State, University of Pennsylvania, and Indiana State University, where he earned a master's degree in physical education in 1984.

After two years as defensive coordinator, Widolff assumed head coaching duties in 1982, guiding the Tigers to a 5-5 record and third place SCIAC finish.  Occidental's 34-20 upset of the University of San Diego, broadcast on national television during the 1982 NFL strike, was his third game as head coach.

From 1983-85, the Tigers won three consecutive SCIAC championships, advancing to the NCAA playoffs all three seasons.  Widolff earned Division III Region 5 Coach of the Year honors in 1983 and 1985. After a second-place finish in 1986, Occidental shared the SCIAC title in 1987 and won it outright in 1988 & 1989. 

Occidental's sustained success can also be attributed to Widolff's knack for fostering coaching excellence.  During the 1980's and early '90's, Widolff and his staff used a number of innovative offensive and defensive schemes, zone blitzes, and an explosive option-based running attack- derivatives of which have become common in the game today.

Los Angeles Avengers assistants Bill Dobson and Johnnie Williams, Philadelphia Eagles tight end coach Tom Melvin, and Gary Etcheverry, former head coach of the Toronto Argonauts, are all former Widolff assistants. 

Others-like Jim Barker, general manager of the Calgary Stampeders, Chris Caminiti, executive assistant with the Cleveland Browns, and Greg Seamon, scouting director for the Cincinnati Bengals- have gone on to front office careers.

Eight former Tigers have signed free agent contracts with the National Football League.  Vance Mueller '86, a fourth round draft choice, played six seasons with the LA Raiders.  Two former players were drafted by the Canadian Football League and twenty-three coaches and players have found opportunities overseas.

Since 1982, the program has compiled a regular-season mark of 146-86-2, one of the best winning percentages of any NCAA III/NAIA school in the Western United States.  Widolff ranks ninth among winningest active coaches in NCAA DIII.