Temple University Athletics
Former Coach Wayne Hardin On Ballot For Selection Into the College Football Hall Of Fame
3.7.07 | Football
March 7, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - Wayne Hardin, who served as head football coach at Temple from 1970-82 and compiled an 80-52-3 record, is one of eight coaches on the 2007 Football Bowl Subdivision ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame as announced today by the National Football Foundation. The most winning football coach in school history, Hardin led the Owls to a 10-2 record and a Garden State Bowl victory over California in 1979, as Temple was ranked No. 17 in both the final AP and UPI polls.
Hardin led the Cherry & White to five seasons with seven or more victories, including a 9-1 mark in 1973 and an 8-2 record in 1974. The Owls posted losing records in just three of his 13 seasons on North Broad Street. Hardin, who was inducted into the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994, was named the Kodak National Coach of the Year in 1974.
Nine players earned All-America honors in Cherry & White under Hardin's leadership, including 1974 Maxwell Award-winning quarterback Steve Joachim. In addition, 19 players that competed during his tenure were selected in the NFL Draft. Hardin coached future NFL Pro Bowlers Joe Klecko, Kevin Ross and Steve Watson, as well eventual Super Bowl Champions Anthony Anderson, Todd Bowles, Jim Cooper and Randy Grossman at Temple.
Prior to his arrival in Owl Country, Hardin was head coach at Navy from 1959 to 1964, where he posted a 38-22-2 record and led the Midshipmen to a #2 ranking in 1963 with Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach under center. Overall, he has a 118-74-5 mark as a collegiate head coach.
To be eligible for the ballot, nominees must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head coach; won at least 60% of their games; and be retired from coaching or over the age of 75. In both cases, the candidate's post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.
The ballot, which also contains the names of 75 players, was mailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF's Honors Court, which deliberates and selects the class. Chaired by Gene Corrigan, a former ACC Commissioner and NCAA president, the 11-member NFF Honors Court includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletics directors, conference commissioners, Hall of Famers and members of the media.
The Hall of Fame Class will be announced at a press conference in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria on May 9 and inducted at The National Football Foundation's 50th Awards Dinner on December 4, 2007 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. They will be officially enshrined at the Hall in South Bend, Ind. in the summer of 2008.
Of the 4.5 million individuals who have played college football, only 813 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. From the coaching ranks, 174 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction, including former Temple coaches Glenn S. "Pop" Warner and Ray Morrison.
