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John O'Grady enters his 16th year as head coach at UWRF and stands second
in all-time football wins.
Under O'Grady the Falcons have compiled an 85-59-3 overall record, a winning
percentage of .588. Among WIAC active coaches he is third in wins and
is 10th in all-time wins of all WIAC coaches. He needs just four wins
to reach the eighth spot and nine wins to get to seventh. In WIAC play
O'Grady has led the Falcons to one first place finish (1998), three second
place finishes (1994, 1995, 1996) and five third place finishes (1989,
1992, 1999, 2000, 2001). He has had winning seasons in 10 of his 15 seasons
with the Falcons.
Year-in and year-out the Falcons are one of the top teams in the WIAC
under the veteran coach. In 1998, the Falcons surprised most WIAC observers.
The team finished 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the WIAC good for a tie for first
place. In 1996 the team finished 9-1 overall and lost to La Crosse (44-0)
in the first round of the playoffs. In 1995 the Falcons were 8-2 overall.
In the playoffs the Falcons beat Central, Iowa, (10-7) but then lost to
La Crosse (28-14). In 1999 the Falcons were 6-4 and 5-2 (third place)
in the WIAC.
Last season the Falcons finished a disappointing 2-7 overall and 2-5 (sixth
place) in the WIAC. In 2002 UWRF was 3-7 overall and 2-5 in WIAC play
(sixth place). The Falcons finished 4-5 overall and 4-3 (tie third place)
in the WIAC in 2001. In 2000, the Falcons were 6-4 overall and 5-2 (third
place) in the WIAC.
O’Grady was named the 1995 WIAC Coach of the Year. His teams have
compiled a 56-42-3 record in WIAC play.
O'Grady combines his vast football knowledge and intensity to help the
Falcons succeed.
O'Grady, 50, played for the Falcons (linebacker) from 1972-75 and earned
four letters. He was the team captain and voted most dedicated in 1975
when the Falcons won their first WSUC title in 18 years.
He coached for two years at Miami University of Ohio as an offensive line
coach and offensive special teams coordinator. Before that, he coached
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1985-86) as an offensive line
coach and special teams coordinator, at Kent State University, Ohio, where
he was offensive coordinator/offensive line and offensive special teams
coordinator (1983-84), and at the University of Wisconsin as a part time
assistant coach of tight ends and special teams (1981-82). He also was
an assistant at UW-River Falls (1976-80) as a linebacker, secondary and
special teams coach.
O'Grady played football at Sullivan High School, Chicago, Ill., from 1968-71
and was team captain, most valuable player and winner of a coach's award
as a senior. He is a native of Worcester, Mass.
He earned his undergraduate degree in physical education from UW-River
Falls in 1979 and his master's degree in supervision and instructional
leadership from UWRF in 1983. Besides coaching football, O'Grady teaches
classes in the University's health and human performance department.
He and wife, Jody, have three children: Lindsey, 23, Jaclyn, 20 and Logan
17.
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John O'Grady
The O'Grady File
| Year |
W |
L |
T |
Pct |
WIAC Place |
| 2003 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
.222 |
2-5, 6th |
| 2002 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
.300 |
2-5, tie 6th |
| 2001 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
.444 |
4-3, tie 3rd |
| 2000 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
.600 |
5-2, 3rd |
| 1999 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
.600 |
5-2, 3rd |
| 1998 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
.700 |
5-2, tie 1st |
| 1997 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
.500 |
3-4, tie 5th |
| 1996 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
.900 |
6-1, 2nd |
| 1995 |
8 |
2 |
0 |
.800 |
6-1, 2nd |
| 1994 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
.700 |
5-2, tie 2nd |
| 1993 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
.600 |
3-4, tie 4th |
| 1992 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
.722 |
4-2-1, 3rd |
| 1991 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
.450 |
2-5-1, 7th |
| 1990 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
.550 |
3-4-1, tie 5th |
| 1989 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
.700 |
6-2, 3rd |
| Totals |
85 |
59 |
3 |
.588 |
56-42-3, .569 |
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