College Football Hall of Fame Coach and Bison Dynasty Starter Darrell Mudra Passes Away

North Dakota State Athletics Logo
North Dakota State Athletics Logo

     Former North Dakota State University head football coach Darrell Mudra passed away at the age of 93 on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

     Mudra was a key contributor in helping turn the Bison football program into the national power we know today. In 1962 NDSU finished the campaign at 0-10. Shortly after in 1963, NDSU named Nudra the head coach. In just his second year, he guided the Bison to a 10-1 record and their first bowl game. They would end up winning the Mineral Water Bowl by a score of 14-13 over Western State. Then in 1965 Mudra led NDSU to the first national championship with an 11-0 season that included a 20-7 victory over Grambling in the Pecan Bowl.

     He was nicknamed “Dr. Victory” over his legendary coaching career that spanned 27 years at eight different destinations between universities and professional teams. While maintaining the role of head coach he finished with a record of 207-88-4. During his time at NDSU, Mudra went 24-6.

     Mudra was inducted into the Bison Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989 and was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.