Temple University Athletics
Temple Mourns the Passing of Former Head Football Coach Jerry Berndt
12.5.22 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Temple University mourns the passing of former head football coach Jerry Berndt. The Owls' gridiron leader from 1989-92, passed away this weekend at the age of 84.
Berndt followed Bruce Arians as Temple's head coach, taking over in 1989. The Owls struggled to a 1-10 finish that season, but then recorded the biggest turnaround in college football and went 7-4 in 1990. Berndt's squad received consideration for the Independence Bowl while putting together the school's best record since the 1979 Garden State Bowl season. The following year, Temple helped found the Big East Football Conference, putting the Owls in league competition for the second time in school history. Temple faced improved competition in his four seasons with 13 games against ranked teams.
In addition to his time at Temple, Berndt was a successful high school and college coach for 30 years. He served as head coach at DePauw (1979-80), Penn (1981-85), Rice (1986-88), and Temple. He also served as the Athletic Director at Rice during his time there.
Berndt was a superior athlete lettering in football, track, basketball, wrestling, and tennis at Wisconsin-Superior. He was voted Ivy League Coach of the Year in 1982 when he led Penn to a 7-3 record and share of the Ivy League Championship. Berndt is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame at both Wisconsin-Superior and Penn.
Berndt followed Bruce Arians as Temple's head coach, taking over in 1989. The Owls struggled to a 1-10 finish that season, but then recorded the biggest turnaround in college football and went 7-4 in 1990. Berndt's squad received consideration for the Independence Bowl while putting together the school's best record since the 1979 Garden State Bowl season. The following year, Temple helped found the Big East Football Conference, putting the Owls in league competition for the second time in school history. Temple faced improved competition in his four seasons with 13 games against ranked teams.
In addition to his time at Temple, Berndt was a successful high school and college coach for 30 years. He served as head coach at DePauw (1979-80), Penn (1981-85), Rice (1986-88), and Temple. He also served as the Athletic Director at Rice during his time there.
Berndt was a superior athlete lettering in football, track, basketball, wrestling, and tennis at Wisconsin-Superior. He was voted Ivy League Coach of the Year in 1982 when he led Penn to a 7-3 record and share of the Ivy League Championship. Berndt is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame at both Wisconsin-Superior and Penn.
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