Craig Rundle

Craig Rundle
Sport(s) Football
Current position
Title Head coach, defensive coordinator
Team Albion
Conference MIAA
Record 116–86
Biographical details
Born (1952-02-01) February 1, 1952
Alma mater Albion College 1974
Playing career
1971, 1973 Albion
Position(s) Tight end, defensive lineman
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1976 Central Michigan (assistant)
1977–1981 Christian Bros. HS (CA)
1982–1984 Wayne State (MI) (assistant)
1984–1985 Saint Mary's (CA) (DC)
1986–1989 Saint Mary's (CA)
1990–1996 Colorado College
1997–present Albion College
Head coaching record
Overall 173–132–1
Tournaments 0–5 (NCAA D-III playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
7 MIAA (1998–1999, 2001, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2015)

Craig Rundle (born February 1, 1952) is an American football coach and former player. He has been the head coach at Albion College since 1997 and has led the school to seven Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships. He has also served as the head football coach at Saint Mary's College of California (1986–1989) and Colorado College (1990–1996).

Albion College (athlete)

Rundle graduated from Gabriels High School, which is now part of Lansing Catholic High School.[1] He enrolled at Albion College, where he played at the tight end and defensive line positions for the school's football team. He graduated in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He later received a master's degree from Central Michigan University.[2]

Christian Brothers High School

After a one-year stint as an assistant coach at Central Michigan University in 1976, Rundle began his head coaching career at Christian Brothers School ("CBS") in Sacramento, California. He was the head coach at CBS for five years from 1977–1981. In 1981, Rundle led CBS to a 11–2 record and reportedly "stunned the top-ranked [Cordova High School] Lancers" by a score of 24–6 in route to a Metro League title; his 1981 team would go on to win the Sac-Joaqiun Section Title the first in Christian Brothers High School history.[3] In five years at CBS, Rundle's teams compiled a 29–21–1 record.[4]

Wayne State

Rundle left CBS in 1982 to accept a position as the defensive coordinator at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He held that position from 1982 to 1984.[1][4]

St. Mary's

After spending two years as the defensive coordinator at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, California, Rundle was promoted to head coach in March 1986.[4][5] The Saint Mary's College Gaels were 3-8 in 1985, the year before Rundle became head coach. Rundle served four years as the head coach and compiled a four-year record of 29-12.[6] He led the 1988 St. Mary's team to a perfect 10–0 record.[7] Despite being one of only two schools in NCAA Division II with an unbeaten, untied record in 1988 (the other was North Dakota State), Rundle's team was unranked and did not receive an invitation to play in the NCAA Division II tournament. The San Francisco Chronicle in November 1988 called the Gaels one of the "better-kept secrets in Division II football."[8]

Colorado College

In February 1990, Rundle was hired as the head coach at Colorado College. He replaced Jerry Carle, who had served as the school's head coach for 33 years.[6] The Colorado College football team had finished the 1989 season with an 1–8 record. Asked about taking over a program that was in a rebuilding phase, Rundle said, "I'm not intimidated about coming into a program that's been down. When I started here at St. Mary's, they weren't that much better. It's going to be a real challenge, but I look forward to it."[2] Rundle explained his decision to make the move as follows, "For raising my family, I found the city of Colorado Springs very appealing. And a Division III program fits my philosophies. I think you'll find Division III programs offer more of a pure sport."[9]

After arriving at Colorado College, Rundle introduced a new, pass-oriented offense. The focal point of the new offense was Rundle's "pro-set, man-in-motion, pass-when-you-can attack."[10] Rundle's first victory at Colorado College was a 38–6 win over Tabor College featuring a passing attack that accounted for 860 yards of offense in the first three games of the 1990 season.[11] After a 63–0 win over Trinity Bible College in late October 1990, the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph referred to the Colorado College offense as "Air Rundle."[12]

Rundle remained at Colorado College for seven seasons from 1990 to 1996 and compiled a seven-year record of 29–33–1. In his first three seasons, his teams finished 4–5, 3–6 and 3–6.[13] However, Rundle turned the program around in 1993, when his team finished with a record of 8–1. The 1993 team opened the season with eight consecutive wins, including consecutive wins over Hardin-Simmons (the No. 4-ranked team in NAIA Division II) and Washington University in St. Louis.[14] However, the team lost the final game of the season by a score of 22–21 against Hastings College, a team that was ranked No. 3 in NAIA Division II. In the loss to Hastings, Colorado College led going into the final minutes when Hastings completed several passes and scored a touchdown for the lead. Years later, Rundle recalled the loss to Hastings, "I still wake up at night sometimes and think about that game. You know, just wondering what if we'd done a few things differently."[15]

Despite the impressive 1993 season, Rundle's team was not invited to play in the Division III playoffs.[16] Rundle told a reporter, "It seems like they might be looking for reasons why we don't belong in the playoffs, instead of why we do. I've called a couple of people on the committee, just trying to enlighten them about our situation. But I'm not sure it's had any effect."[13] Yet, the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph noted, "Rundle, whose priorities and ethics are impeccable, refuses to scream about being victimized by the system."[13]

The day after the season-ending loss to Hastings in 1993, Rundle sought to "break the gloom and doom" by telling his team, "I hadn't had a haircut all season, and if they wanted to give me one, they could." The seniors accepted the offer and "left him with nothing but stubble - and the players with thoughts of all that went right in 1993."[17] The 1993 Colorado College team averaged 38 points a game and allowed 20 points per game, while setting season records for points (344), touchdowns (46), defensive touchdowns (six), points scored by the defense (36) and consecutive victories to start a season (eight).[18]

Despite finishing 4–4–1 and 4–5 in 1994 and 1995, Rundle remained a popular figure in Colorado Springs. In 1996, the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph wrote: "Step into the office of Colorado College football coach Craig Rundle, and you instantly rediscover all's right with the world. Rundle, entering his seventh year at CC, always has made sure his nonscholarship program's priorities remain constant and appropriate."[19]

In his seven years at Colorado College, Rundle became the third-winningest coach in the school's football history behind Jerry Carle and W.T. Van de Graaff.[20] When Rundle announced his decision to leave Colorado College to take the head coaching position at his alma mater, Albion College, a columnist in the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph closed his coverage of the story as follows:

"Craig Rundle is a special person in every way. This job brings us in contact with all kinds of coaches, most of whom go without more than a simple 'good luck, and nice working with you,' as they leave. But for this farewell, it seems appropriate to add something I've never written before. I wish I could have played for you, coach. I really do."[15]

Albion College (coach)

In January 1997, Rundle was hired as the head football coach at Albion College.[20] In his first season at Albion, Rundle's team finished 6-3 but fell short of winning the MIAA championship.[21] However, in 1998, Rundle's Albion finished 8-2, won the MIAA championship, and advanced to the NCAA Division III Playoffs.[1] In his first nine seasons at Albion, Rundle compiled a record of 60-29, won four MIAA championship, and advanced twice to the NCAA Division III playoffs.[1][7]

In 2001, Albion won an MIAA championship with both of Rundle's sons playing on the team.[1][22] His oldest son, Travis Rundle, was the team's quarterback and broke many of the school's all-time passing records. Travis still holds Albion records for the most pass attempts in a season (329 in 2001), most completions in a season (183 in 2001), and most passing touchdowns in a game (six against Olivet College in 2000).[23] Rundle's younger son, Troy Rundle, also played tight end for the 2001 team.[24] Both sons became first-team All-MIAA selections.[1]

After ten consecutive seasons without a losing season at Albion, Rundle's teams compiled three consecutive losing seasons in 2007 (2-8), 2008 (4-6) and 2009 (4-6).[7]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Saint Mary's Gaels (NCAA Division II independent) (1986–1989)
1986 Saint Mary's 5–5
1987 Saint Mary's 8–3
1988 Saint Mary's 10–0
1989 Saint Mary's 6–4
Saint Mary's: 29–12
Colorado College Tigers (Independent) (1990–1996)
1990 Colorado College 4–5
1991 Colorado College 3–6
1992 Colorado College 3–6
1993 Colorado College 8–1
1994 Colorado College 4–4–1
1995 Colorado College 3–6
1996 Colorado College 3–6
Colorado College: 28–34–1
Albion Britons (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1997–present)
1997 Albion 6–3 3–2 T–3rd
1998 Albion 8–2 6–0 1st L NCAA Division III First Round
1999 Albion 6–3 5–1 T–1st
2000 Albion 7–3 3–2 T–2nd
2001 Albion 8–2 5–0 1st
2002 Albion 5–5 3–3 T–4th
2003 Albion 6–4 4–2 T–2nd
2004 Albion 7–3 5–2 T–2nd
2005 Albion 7–4 6–1 1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2006 Albion 5–5 3–4 5th
2007 Albion 2–8 2–5 6th
2008 Albion 4–6 3–3 T–3rd
2009 Albion 4–6 4–2 T–2nd
2010 Albion 5–5 4–2 T–2nd
2011 Albion 6–5 6–0 1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2012 Albion 6–4 3–3 4th
2013 Albion 8–3 6–0 1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2014 Albion 6–4 4–2 T–2nd
2015 Albion 9–2 5–1 T–1st L NCAA Division III First Round
2016 Albion 1–9 0–6 7th
Albion: 116–86 80–41
Total: 173–132–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Craig Rundle: Football Head Coach". Albion College. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  2. 1 2 John Moore (1990-02-20). "Colorado College hires Rundle". Denver Post.
  3. ↑ Joe Davidson (2007-10-23). "A look back at a storied rivalry: Cordova vs. Christian Brothers". The Sacramento Bee. p. C2.
  4. 1 2 3 "RUNDLE, FORMER CBS COACH, TAKES ST. MARY'S FOOTBALL POST". Sacramento Bee. 1986-03-08.
  5. ↑ "ST. MARY'S LOSES OATES, HIRES RUNDLE". San Jose Mercury News. 1986-03-08. p. 4E.
  6. 1 2 Mike Klis (1990-02-14). "CC selects new head coach: Search committee's consensus nominee is owns 29-12 record". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C3.
  7. 1 2 3 "Craig Rundle Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  8. ↑ Al Moss (1988-11-05). "'Little Big Game': St. Mary's (9-0) Vies for Respect". San Francisco Chronicle. p. D4.
  9. ↑ Mike Klis (1990-02-20). "CC names Rundle coach, still looking for new AD: Division III program seen as challenge". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C2.
  10. ↑ Steve Page (1990-08-30). "CC enters a new era with a redesigned offense". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C2.
  11. ↑ Mike Klis (1990-09-23). "Rundle earns first win as CC routs Tabor, 38-6". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C6.
  12. ↑ Mike Klis (1990-10-28). "Colorado College crushes depleted Trinity, 63-0". Colorado Springs Gazette–Telegraph.
  13. 1 2 3 Ralph Routon (1993-11-11). "Come what may, Rundle keeps faith". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C1.
  14. ↑ Ralph Routon (1993-10-27). "At CC, Rundle has turned Tigers into trophy hunters again". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C1.
  15. 1 2 Ralph Routon (1997-01-13). "CC's Rundle was special". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C5.
  16. ↑ Steve Page (1993-11-15). "NCAA overlooks CC in picking playoff teams". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C2.
  17. ↑ Steve Page (1993-11-18). "CC wins silent respect: An 8-1 season quiets callers". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C1.
  18. ↑ Torin Berge (1994-08-24). "CC tries to better 8-1 success of '93". Denver Post.
  19. ↑ Ralph Routon (1996-09-06). "CC's serious football can be lots of fun". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph.
  20. 1 2 Ralph Routon (1997-01-10). "Rundle leaving CC program: Coach takes post at Albion College". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. p. C3.
  21. ↑ Jim Spadafore (1998-11-06). "State Colleges: Albion's Rundle hopes to emerge". The Detroit News.
  22. ↑ "Albion romps, takes MIAA". The Detroit News. 2001-11-11.
  23. ↑ Albion Football Record Book "Albion Football Records" Check |url= value (help). Albion College. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  24. ↑ "Family ties carry Albion". The Detroit News. 2001-08-30.

External links


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