麻豆传媒团队's 42-23 victory over Ohio Wesleyan on a cloudy November afternoon at historic Edwards-Maurer Field was like so many others for the Tiger football program. After all, Wittenberg has the second-highest win total in NCAA Division III history and has just one losing season on its resume since 1955.
The day was anything but normal, however. For starters - and of greatest interest to - the win moved the Tigers to 9-0 on the season, including a mark of 8-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). It also clinched at least a share of a seventh league championship in the last nine years, including four in the last five, and earned the Tigers their 19th NCAA Division III Tournament berth, regardless of the outcome of next week's regular season finale against Wooster.
While there was plenty to celebrate as a team, the post-game was all about Fincham, who became the 86th head coach in NCAA history - and 26th in Division III history - to win 200 games. Since taking the reins of Wittenberg football in 1996 after six years as an assistant in the program, Fincham has guided the Tigers to an astounding record of 200-43, good for a winning percentage of 82.3. Fincham's winning percentage ranks eighth in NCAA Division III history and fourth among active coaches.
His players and the alumni who are so loyal to the program are thrilled with the wins on the field, but they are just as effusive in their praise of Fincham the leader, mentor and teacher. He is described as a family man first and foremost - fittingly, he shared the post-game accolades and impromptu photo session with his wife Rita and their children Mack, Samantha and Annie (pictured). And he is lauded as a meticulous manager of one of the most successful programs in all of small college athletics in large part thanks to his focus on people and the importance of relationships.
David Jablonski of the Springfield News-Sun covered the game from several angles, including with quotes from former Wittenberg coaches and players. What follows are other comments from Tiger football alumni about Joe Fincham's impact on their lives. To have your thoughts added, send an email to Ryan Maurer at rmaurer@wittenberg.edu.
Steve Drongowski '74
"We met a long time ago, but some time after you had become our Head Coach. And it's been one long smile ever since to watch you lead the Tigers, develop talent and build winning teams. You attract talent and teach the boys to work hard, play well as a team and find success. And to have a bunch of fun in the process.
"You were following some tough acts on the hilltop, Joe. Bill Edwards and Dave Maurer in particular. But you took the Tigers through a lot of change. Important to many of us old guys, one of the things that's never changed in the "Fincham Era" is the Tigers' will to win. Congratulations on 200, Joe. Now let's go for 201..."
Daniel Grove '03
"Coach Fincham taught me about being a man. I learned how to care about people and how to be strong in the face of adversity. Being the best wasn't as important as taking care of the guy beside you."
Bob Miller '70
"Congratulations!!! We are all very proud of you for winning 200 games. But I know that even better, you are a gentleman and a great teacher of the game. Encore!!!"
Casey Donaldson '01
"Coach, congratulations on your 200th win! What an accomplishment! It was an honor playing for you, and the teams I was a part of. Keep it rolling! TIGER UP!!"
Donn Gallatin '74
"Joe has a saying, 'To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is to be forgotten.' He is never late, and he does not tolerate his players being late. I asked him about this, and he responded, 'I'm not here to get them ready for the NFL. My job is to teach life's lessons that will help them be successful after football.' Joe Fincham is a great coach, but a better teacher!"
Skip Ivery '04
"Coach Fincham really exemplifies what I strive to be as a leader: consistently pursuing greatness by having a keen personal awareness of your own strengths and weaknesses so you can magnify your strengths while intentionally and persistently improving on those weak points. I'd follow that guy anywhere because he's a winner; he cares about those around him, and he made and makes me a better person."
Jason Jackson '02
"There is so much that could be said about Coach Fincham and what he means to the Wittenberg program. Wittenberg is known for coaching greats like Edwards and Maurer. Joe Fincham should be penciled in right along with them. Without him, I don't know if Wittenberg would be as successful as it has been over the years.
"As a freshman he believed in my abilities and instilled confidence within me. He's a great leader of young men. When it comes to Wittenberg tradition and toughness, Joe Fincham is the prime example of it. In my opinion he deserves to be recognized as one of the best in college coaching. Go Tigers!"
Chad Thompson '04
"He definitely taught me (often colorfully) lessons on discipline and effort I continue to lean on today."
Trent Coffman '03
"Coach Fincham is a winner, and he teaches winning. Those same lessons are values I instill in the teams that I lead in corporate America to this day."
Rocky Alt '71
Joe, congratulations on a very special accomplishment that has rarely been matched in college football! 200 wins is a vey great milestone! Very proud that you have carried on the great winning tradition that embodies the Wittenberg tradition! Tiger Up, and who is next?"
Ryan Walker '01
"Joe Fincham is a great leader and friend. He taught us to be our best everyday and value the task at hand but always reminded us that we were a part of something bigger than ourselves."
Trent Brunic '10
"Coach Finchams loyalty and dedication to Wittenberg is truly amazing and that is one of the main reasons I chose to go there. Coach has earned every one of those 200 wins from how tirelessly he works year round to ensure the standard and tradition remains intact. I'm fortunate to have had the chance to play for Coach Fincham and to be a part of a few of those wins. Congrats on the milestone, Coach!"
Matt Gallatin '01
"Coach Fincham is Wittenberg Football. He instills and teaches life lessons through the game of football. Goal setting, high expectations, hard work and resiliency are evident in all he does. We are all better men for following his plan."
Brian Alspaugh '12
"Coach Fincham constantly pushes you to be your best. He doesn't sugarcoat anything, and if you aren't playing well or practicing well, he will let you know it. That mentality has translated over to life outside of football. He pushes you to expect the best out of yourself.
"I can still hear him saying 'you got all those tattoos, but you're still soft' every time I'm not giving it my all. By far the best coach and motivator I've ever played for. He made me a better player, but more importantly he made everyone a better man."
Fred Mitchell '69
"Joe Fincham's name belongs among the greatest football coaches in Wittenberg history, as well as college football history. I had the pleasure of playing for College Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Edwards, who won 98 games in 14 seasons at Wittenberg and 168 overall in college coaching (including Vanderbilt and Western Reserve).
"We didn't have as many games on our schedule in the 1960s as teams do now. We played just eight games my freshman year of 1965 at Witt and there was no playoff system in place back then. But more impressive than the number of wins Fincham has accrued is his incredible winning percentage. And he has many more wins ahead of him. Well done."
Adam Hewitt '07
"To me, one of the things that makes a good coach is setting high expectations on players, and getting the best of out them. Coach Fincham is a master of getting the best out of his athletes, and not all players respond the same way. He knows what buttons to push, and when to push them. He is tough, but fair. He is always there for his players, but does not coddle."
Tim Hunter '69
"Coach Fincham鈥檚 accomplishments and contributions are both noteworthy and tradition-enhancing. Joe has continued Wittenberg鈥檚 winning football reputation and has taken it up a level with dignity and class. What a great example he sets for his players, coaches, and alums. He gives every Tiger, young and old, opportunities to be a part of the Wittenberg Red & White! As a past player, I truly respect and appreciate his efforts to involve us and give us chances to help provide young players opportunities to play winning football at a highly respected University."
Gary George '04
"The one thing that myself and I know other people admire and respect about Coach Fincham is the fire that burns in his heart to win. He is the kind of coach that you want to play for and you want to do your best for because you know he will be right there in the trenches with you fighting no matter what the score is, giving 100 percent.
"There is no such thing as perfection, you can always get better. He always preached toughness, mental and physical. Then you are both mentally and physically tough, which you gain through the work you put in during the week, you make less mistakes on Saturday, which nine times out of 10 will give you the results you are looking for. So I am not surprised Coach Fincham has won 200 game - it's much deserved and he has positively affected so many young men's lives, and he is being rewarded for that every weekend for that every weekend when those helmets are being buckled up and those shoulder pads are being strapped on."
Rod Miller '70
"I was watching the Ohio Wesleyan game yesterday online and thought this is the Wittenberg Football tradition since the 1960s. Dominate on both sides of the ball, expect to win convincingly, and do it with scholar-athletes that are a little bit shorter and not as fast.
"One hundred dressed athletes and no scholarship money. Now, with that challenge, you have won 200 college football games, and you have reached the top of the mountain of Wittenberg coaching legends with Bull and Davey. What an impressive accomplishment. All of us, as football alums, are very proud of you keeping the fine tradition of Wittenberg football. Keep it going for another 100."
Dane Dudley '03
"If I could sum up Coach Fincham, it would as the ultimate leader. From the time he came to visit me at my high school, I felt that he was being honest and genuine. That continued through me entire four years at Wittenberg, even when the message have been tough for me to handle. The result for myself and most of my peers was the ultimate successes on the field and the building blocks to take on the world as better men when we graduated. He clearly cared for his players."
Spencer Leno '14
"Coach Fincham demands nothing but the best from his players. He not only pushed us to be the best football players, but also taught us how to be the best men we could be. Coach preached and demanded toughness from all of his players on a consistent basis. All of his dedication has contributed to the Wittenberg Football Program鈥檚 winning culture. I have nothing but respect for Coach Fincham."
Peter Franz '04
"Pillar of the community. Pillar of the university. How fortunate are we as players and how fortunate is Wittenberg as an institution to have such a great leader. His impact on both has been immeasurable. His stability/consistency and toughness and work ethic has shaped the lives of hundreds. We should all be grateful for his contribution to Wittenberg."
