Tim Rogers, Kalamazoo College’s 22nd head football coach, announced that he is leaving Kalamazoo College to pursue other coaching opportunities effective immediately.
Rogers completed six seasons at the helm of the Hornets with a record of 28-28. His win total ranks fifth in school history, and the .500 winning percentage ranks seventh.
“I am indebted to the players who have played here, for without their efforts and performance other opportunities would not be possible,” Rogers said. “I appreciate the opportunity I was given six years ago to be named head coach at Kalamazoo, and am especially grateful to Bob Kent, former athletics director.
“I would also like to thank the current players, parents, alumni, boosters, and all associated with the Kalamazoo College football program for their tremendous efforts and support.
“This football program is at a very stable level. There are several quality coaches still here, and the program can continue along a successful path,” Rogers added.
“We are grateful for Tim’s service to Kalamazoo College,” said Men’s Director of Athletics Timon Corwin. “Tim took the football team and turned it around in a very short time.
“He has an eye for coaching talent, putting together arguably the best staff in the conference. He reached out to the football alumni, did a tremendous job rallying local interest in the community, and helped establish the Touchdown Club, a very healthy and active booster club for the team.
“Tim’s leadership will be missed. Anytime you lose an excellent coach, teacher and colleague it is difficult, but the program will survive and continue to develop under a new staff.
“The program remains in good shape with quality coaches. Kalamazoo College remains a premier choice to receive a great education while playing college football.”
Prior to assuming the position of head coach in 1998, Rogers served as defensive coordinator for the Hornets. During his tenure, 21 defensive players were named to the All-MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) first, second, or honorable mention squads.
Rogers, a native of Chicago, arrived in Kalamazoo after serving as a graduate assistant at Eastern Michigan University, where he earned a master’s degree in physical education in 1993. He coached the receivers and helped develop the EMU passing game, in addition to serving as the recruiting coordinator for the Chicago area.
Prior to coaching at Eastern Michigan Rogers served as running backs coach at Moraine Valley (Ill.) Community College in 1992, and was interim defensive backs coach at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas from 1991-92. From 1988-90 he was a varsity assistant coach at his alma mater, Chicago’s De La Salle High School.
Rogers lettered in four seasons as a defensive back at Beloit (Wis.) College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1988 and was selected to the All-Sigma Chi National Football Team as a senior.
Rogers’ Head Coaching Highlights
-Four consecutive .500 or better seasons (first time in 38 years)
-Produced the MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Defensive
MVPs in 1999 and 2001, (first time since 1956)
-Sent two players to the Aztec Bowl (NCAA III All-Star Game in Mexico) in 1999
and 2001 (first time in school history)
-Led the Hornets to a second-place finish in the MIAA in 2000 (best finish since
1995)
-2000 team was 5-4 overall (best finish since 1993.)
-Team and individuals set 11 offensive school records and one defensive record
-Recruited and coached the school’s all-time leading rusher (Dwight White
'04), quarterback (Bryan Gnyp '04), and receiver (T.J. Thayer '03)
-2002 team and players were ranked nationally in seven offensive categories,
including 12th in passing offense
-Rogers was 4-5 during his first year at the helm (1998), and set a record for
the largest margin of victory in a debut game as a Hornet football head coach
in a 47-2 win at Oberlin College.
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