Fran Schwenk, head football coach at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., has announced his retirement. “I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with the gifted student-athletes at William Jewell,” Schwenk said. “After much consideration, I have decided that it is time for me to move on. I am choosing to make the announcement at this time so that the College can move forward with the process of finding its next head coach. That decision about the future leadership of the program is an important one, both for our current student-athletes and for our future recruits.” Schwenk came to William Jewell in 2005 and is currently completing his 40th season as a football coach. Going into this season, Schwenk was ranked sixth on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics active football coaches wins list. In addition to his football coaching duties at William Jewell, Schwenk served as assistant athletics director and instructor in physical education. “We are very grateful to have had a person of Fran’s personal integrity and character with us at William Jewell,” said Dr. David Sallee. “He has provided a very positive role model for our students, both in the classroom and on the playing field.” Dr. Sallee said that Dr. Darlene Bailey, director of athletics, would immediately begin a national search for Schwenk’s successor. “I have enjoyed working with Fran, and I appreciate what he has done for our program,” Dr. Bailey said. “He has provided a quality experience for Jewell students through the football program and physical education majors.” Prior to taking the position at William Jewell, Schwenk had served as head football coach, athletic director and associate professor of physical education at Doane College in Crete, Neb., since 1984. He was the first coach in Doane’s history to reach the 100-win mark in 2001. Schwenk’s overall record at Doane was 123-88-3. Schwenk earned bachelor of science and master’s degrees at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, where he was a four-year letterman and earned outstanding running back honors during the 1968 season. He coached at several schools in Missouri, establishing winning programs at Eastgate Junior High school in Kansas City, Rock Port High School and Clinton High School before becoming defensive backs coach at Missouri Western in St. Joseph in 1980. Schwenk’s professional memberships have included the Nebraska High School Activities Association, American Football Coaches Association and the NAIA Football Association. He served as president of the NAIA Football Association from 2002-2004. He was named the State College Coach of the Year by the Omaha World Herald in 1997 and was the Lincoln Journal-Star’s Nebraska State College Coach of the Year in 1993.