Gordon K. Larson (1975) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Gordon K. Larson

Induction:
1975

INAUGURAL CLASS
1961-72
Football Head Coach

Since arriving on campus as head football coach on January 18, 1961, Gordon Larson was a man who devoted unceasing energy towards achieving a successful athletics program at the University.

In 1961, Larson took essentially the same team that had won only one of nine games and molded them into a winning combination that produced six wins and two losses. Thus began the coach with the most football wins in the University history to that point.

Over the next 11 seasons Larson produced almost nothing but winners. His Zip grid teams of 1968 through 1971 were almost unbeatable: 7-2-1 in 1968; 9-1 on 1969; 7-3 in 1970 and 8-2 in 1971. He established a new milestone by guiding his 1968 team to the University’s first post-season bowl game the Grantland Rice Bowl.

The 1969 mark of 9-1 equaled UA’s best previous all-time season record and earned Larson the American Football Coaches Association’s College Division Co-Coach of the Year in District 2.

During his tenure, Larson coached 13 Little All-Americans, and his team broke 99 of 166 school records, a notable achievement considering football played on campus since 1891.

During his brilliant 12-year, UA coaching career, Larson was among the Top 15 active college division coaches for most victories and in the Top 25 with a .683 winning percentage. His overall coaching record was 126-59-13, including a 74-33-5 mark at UA.