OBITUARY

Frank X. Lauterbur [1925-2013]; Legendary UT football coach led team to 35-game winning streak

11/20/2013
BLADE STAFF
  • University-of-Toledo-football-coach-Frank-Lauter

    University of Toledo football coach Frank Lauterbur shows off the Tangerine Bowl trophy as he deplanes December 30, 1970, in Toledo on arrival after the game.

    Don Simmons 1970

    • University of Toledo football coach Frank Lauterbur jumps to his feet to call timeout from the sidelines October 31, 1970.
    University of Toledo football coach Frank Lauterbur jumps to his feet to call timeout from the sidelines October 31, 1970.

    University of Toledo football coach Frank Lauterbur shows off the Tangerine Bowl trophy as he deplanes December 30, 1970, in Toledo on arrival after the game.
    University of Toledo football coach Frank Lauterbur shows off the Tangerine Bowl trophy as he deplanes December 30, 1970, in Toledo on arrival after the game.

    [1925-2013] Frank X. Lauterbur, the legendary University of Toledo football coach who led the team as it began its 35-game winning streak, died today in Parkcliffe Alzheimer’s Community. 

    He lived at Parkcliffe for about a year, his daughter Mary said.

    PHOTO GALLERY: Frank Lauterbur's iconic moments

    Mr. Lauterbur was head football coach and athletic director at UT from 1963-70. His teams took Mid-American Conference championships in 1967, 1969, and 1970. The last two teams were the start of the UT's undefeated run during the 1969 through 1971 seasons.

    "Obviously we lost a great Rocket in Coach Lauterbur," UT athletic director Mike O'Brien said today. "He has so many fans here in the city of Toledo and the university. He mentored and coached so many young people. Our condolences obviously from the entire Rocket nation go out to his family."

    Former Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, who was an assistant coach for Mr. Lauterbur, said: "He knew that success was like a marathon run. You might not have the fastest time at the end of one mile, but you have 25 more miles to go. Every year you keep working to get better. He never got discouraged."

    Mr. Lauterbur left UT in 1971 to become head coach at the University of Iowa. He later was an assistant coach in professional football.

    UT, which honored Mr. Lauterbur in April before the annual spring football scrimmage, was to call for a moment of silence before the game today against Northern Illinois University.

    Mr. Lauterbur's wife, Mary, died in 2006.

    Former Toledo Rockets football coach Frank Lauterbur is applauded in the Rockets' locker room prior to the Rockets' spring game at the Glass Bowl on Friday, April 12, 2013.
    Former Toledo Rockets football coach Frank Lauterbur is applauded in the Rockets' locker room prior to the Rockets' spring game at the Glass Bowl on Friday, April 12, 2013.