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

Occidental football, now in its 108th season, has enjoyed unparalleled success in the last 25 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 six years with a combined record of 48-11 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.

Education: "EJ" attended Citrus Junior College and transferred to St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA, where he played quarterback. He then transferred to Cal State-LA where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science.

Background:  A Pasadena native, Erik was head football coach at John Muir High school for seven years.  He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, the National Football Certification Association, and the Football Coaches Professional Growth Association.  EJ resides in Monrovia, CA with his wife Gina and stepdaughter Amber.

Coaching Experience:
Occidental College:  Defensive Coordinator (2002-Current);
Head Golf Coach (2005-current)
Crescenta Valley: Defensive Coordinator (2001)
John Muir High School: Assistant Coach (1993-1994); Head Coach (1994-2000)
Blair High School: Assistant Coach (1991-1993)

Playing Experience: 
St. Mary's College: QB (1988-1989)
Citrus Jr. College: QB (1986-1987)

Notable Accomplishments:
The Occidental defense led the SCIAC in points allowed and rushing defense in 2003 & 2004.  Twenty players have earned All-SCIAC honors the past three seasons, including Mike Bryant '06, the SCIAC's first three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Bryant competed in the 2005 Aztec Bowl in Saltillo, Mexico; defensive back Derek Turbin '06 was selected to participate in the 2006 Hula Bowl, an event typically reserved for Division I talent.

While at John Muir High School, EJ coached over 30 athletes who went on to play Div. I or IAA football.  The Mustangs' offense broke several school records, including total yardage and points scored in a season.  Defensively, John Muir ranked in the top five in points allowed in the CIF Southern Section in 1999 and 2000.  EJ's teams won four league titles and made the CIF playoffs every year, advancing to the semifinals twice, and the quarterfinals three times.  EJ was named Pacific League Coach of the Year twice (1997 and 1998) and San Gabriel Valley Coach of the Year once (1997).

Education:Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts at Wichita State in 1974 and a Masters degree at Cal Lutheran in 1978.

Background: Fenwick brings over 35 years of coaching experience to the Occidental football program, having most recently served as head coach at Eastern Oregon from 1999-2005.

A native of the San Fernando Valley, Fenwick coached at L.A. Pierce College in Woodland Hills from 1973-1987 and spent brief stints at Cal State-Northridge and Los Angeles Valley College before moving to Miami University (OH) in 1989.

After one season at Pacific in 1991, Fenwick returned to L.A. Valley College as head coach for six years and Cal State Northridge for one before moving to the University of New Mexico.  With the Lobos from 1998-1999, Fenwick coached his son Tyler, Occidental's offensive coordinator from 2001-2005.

Playing Experience:
Wichita State University: (1972-1974) Team Captain
L.A. Pierce College: (1970-1972)
Grover Cleveland High School: 

Other Professional Experience:  Member of the American Football Coaches Association...Took a U.S. Football Team to Finland in 1984...Owner & Director of the Occidental Summer Day Camp.

Education: Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at UC-Davis in 2001.

Background: Born in Salem, Oregon, Eric has lived in California since 1989. He currently lives in Pasadena with his wife Megan. Eric coached Football Gazette Third Team All-American Josh Jones and Ric Fukushima, the SCIAC's John Zinda Award winner, in 2005. He also serves as the team's equipment manager.

Coaching Experience:
Occidental College: Wide Receivers 2005-present
Tight Ends/Special Teams 2004
Whittier College:   Outside Linebackers (2003)
St. Mary's HS, Stockton CA: Offensive Line/Tight Ends/Defensive Line (2002)  

Playing Experience: 
UC-Davis: Tight End (1997-2001)
Oak Ridge HS: Tight End/Defensive Lineman/Kicker (1993-1997)

Education: Earned a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1989.  Received an M.B.A. from the University of Florida in 1993.

Background:  Originally from Connecticut, Chau played safety at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.  He owns strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA, CSCS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM, HFI)

Coaching Experience:   
Occidental College: Outside Linebackers, Strength & Conditioning (2005-present)
U.S. Coast Guard Academy (CT): Outside Linebackers, JV Head Coach, Assistant Strength Coach (2004)
El Camino High School (San Diego, CA): Defensive Backs, Strength Coach (2002-2003)
Escondido High School (San Diego, CA): Wide Receivers, Strength Coach (2001) 

Playing Experience: 
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1985-1988)

Strength & Conditioning Corporate Clients:
The Sporting Club (La Jolla, CA)
Boston Scientific (San Diego and Murrietta Valley, CA)
Biocept (San Diego)
National University (San Diego)

Notable Accomplishments:  
Chau coached Mike Bryant '06, the first three-time SCIAC Defensive Player of the Year, last season at Occidental.  While at the US Coast Guard Academy, Chau coached Rick Nines, a First Team All-New England selection.  As the safety and assistant strength coach at El Camino High School, Chau worked with dual sport athlete Derek Scott, an All-Avocado League selection in football (2002) and the 2003 San Diego County Pole Vault champion.  Chau received the 1988 Defensive Leadership Football Award for Dedication, Enthusiasm, and Teamwork at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and was named Special Teams Player of the Week in the 1988 and 1985 seasons.

Education: Jo spent two years at Pasadena City College before transferring to UC-San Diego, where he received a BA in Communications in 2003. 

Background:  A native of La Crescenta, Jo played quarterback and linebacker at Crescenta Valley High School, where he earned the Leon Panduro Memorial Scholarship from the coaching staff.  While at UCSD, Jo served as an assistant coach at University City High School, working with both the quarterbacks and defensive linemen.  He currently resides in Glendale with his wife Christine.

Coaching Experience:   
Occidental College:  Defensive Assistant (2003): Safeties (2004-Current)
Los Angeles Avengers:  Defensive Assistant (2004-2005)
University City High School:  Offensive Backs/Defensive Line (2002)

Playing Experience: 
Crescenta Valley High School: QB/ILB (1993-1996)

Now in his 17th year, "Kermo" continues to play an important role at Occidental, coaching the Tiger kickers and punters.  Kicker Thomas Joraanstad '07 earned All-SCIAC First Team honors in 2005, hitting eight of 11 field goal attempts and a perfect five for five from under 30 yards.  Punter Cory Ohnesorge '06 was NCAA Division III's top punter in 2003, averaging 44.4 yards per attempt. 

A 1979 Occidental graduate, Kerman has also served as Oxy's Director of Athletics, Sports Information Director, and assistant coach for men's basketball and women's softball.  He earned his master's degree in education at United States International University.

Background: Will Campbell, a former Occidental student-athlete, returns for his fifth season coaching running backs and kick-return specialists.  In his first three seasons as coach, an Occidental running back earned either First or Second Team recognition and two student-athletes (Matt Andersen '08 and Ryan Gonzales '06) earned All-SCIAC Honorable Mention in 2005.  Zac Sakowski '04 ranked 16th in the NCAA Division III in punt returns (14.0 ypa) in 2003. 

During his football career at Oxy, Will played running back, wide receiver, defensive back, and kick returner.  As a sprinter for the Tiger track team, he was a National Championship qualifier.  Will received a Bachelor's degree in Economics in May of '98.

Education:  Earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Occidental in 2005 and an M.A.T in Social Science with a Level I teaching certification in May 2006.

Background:  Born and raised in Southern California, Tromello has played football virtually his whole life; from Pop Warner to a recent stint overseas as player / coach with the Gefle Red Devils of Sweden.  He played three years at Oxy and was a key member of the 2004 SCIAC championship team.  

Coaching Experience: 
Occidental College:  Offensive Assistant/Tight Ends/Fullbacks (Fall 2005)
Gefle Red Devils: Defensive Coordinator (Summer 2005)

Playing Experience: 
Gefle Red Devils: Running Back/Linebacker (2005)
Occidental College: Linebacker (2002-2004)
Moorpark College: Linebacker (2001)
Newbury Park High School: Linebacker (1997-2000)