Jack Robert Lengyel (born March 4 1935 in Akron, Ohio) is an American former college football and lacrosse coach, athletics administrator, and software executive. He is most noted for rebuilding the Marshall University football program after the 1970 Southern Airways Flight 932 plane crash that killed 75 members of the team and coaching staff.
Early life and education
Lengyel earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Akron, where he also served as an assistant football coach in 1959. He obtained a Master of Education from Kent State University in 1962. His family name derives from the Hungarian word meaning “from Poland.”
Coaching career
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Football: Lengyel began as an assistant at Akron (1959) and Heidelberg College (1961–1962), then served under Cornell (1963–1965). He was head coach at the College of Wooster (1966–1970), turning a winless team into a consecutive‑win program. In 1971 he became head football coach at Marshall University, leading the “Young Thundering Herd” from 1971 to 1974 and compiling a record of 9–33 there; his overall college football coaching record stands at 33–54.
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Baseball: He coached baseball at Heidelberg College from 1961 to 1963.
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Lacrosse: Lengyel was head lacrosse coach at Wooster for three seasons (1968–1970), achieving a 10–11 record.
Marshall University rebuilding effort
Following the November 14, 1970 crash that decimated Marshall’s football program, Lengyel was hired after other candidates declined. He recruited athletes from other sports and walk‑ons to field a team, securing the program’s first post‑crash victory—a 15–13 win over Xavier on September 25, 1971.
Administrative career
After leaving coaching, Lengyel transitioned to athletics administration:
- Associate/acting athletic director, University of Louisville (1978–1980)
- Associate athletic director, University of Missouri (1980–1983)
- Athletic director, California State University, Fresno (1983–1986)
- Athletic director, University of Missouri (1986–1988)
- Athletic director, United States Naval Academy (1988–2001)
He later served as interim athletic director at Temple University (2002), Eastern Kentucky University (2002–2003), and the University of Colorado Boulder (2004–2005).
Later work
Following his tenure in collegiate athletics, Lengyel entered the private sector as a software executive.
Legacy
Lengyel’s leadership during Marshall’s recovery has been widely recognized; he is featured in the 2006 film We Are Marshall and continues to be celebrated for his contributions to college sports administration and coaching.
