IN MY OPINION: It's time for Leipold to get his due

I'm not sure it's been said enough: Lance Leipold is an excellent football coach.

When Coach Bob Berezowitz retired following the 2006 season, UW-Whitewater Athletic Director Paul Plinske conducted a national search to find his replacement. Many close to the UW-W program thought the search was more window dressing than substance. In many circles, the obvious man for the job was long time assistant Stan Zweifel, who had coached at UW-W since 1991. "Coach Z" was well known for being a master of the zone blocking scheme and rightly given much credit for the prolific offense UW-W had built.

However, as the search progressed another viable candidate emerged. Lance Leipold, a former UW-W quarterback and assistant coach. Leipold played four years at Whitewater, two each under Forrest Perkins and Bob Berezowitz. In addition, Leipold had been coaching since his playing days including stints as assistant coach for the Wisconsin Badgers and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

It seems Plinske had a win-win situation on his hands. In the end, he went with Leipold. Upon the hiring, Plinske said: "Lance Leipold brings a unique dynamic to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, its athletic department and Warhawk football," Plinske said. "Not only will his temperament and background help him funnel the gifts and abilities of a highly successful program, but they will bring us new ideas and a different perspective."

Leipold was able to bring the "new ideas and a different perspective" and still have the respect of the alumni because he was part of the "Warhawk family". He understood and appreciated the UW-W tradition.

When Leipold was hired, the Warhawks had been to two consecutive Stagg Bowls, but had never won a National Championship. Upon taking the job, Leipold said, "The bar has been raised here the last couple of years." Leipold said. "No matter what those last couple of seasons have been, my goal within the program is that we improve daily. We try to get better every day in every little thing that we do, then those other things will take care of themselves. We have to start with the immediate goal of winning the conference championship, being a consistent playoff participant, and then winning that national championship."

"My goal is to be the third-best football program in this state year in and year out," Leipold added. "One plays on Sunday in Lambeau, one plays in Camp Randall and the third plays in Perkins Stadium."

Mission Accomplished. And he's just getting started.

In three seasons, Leipold's record is an astonishing 42-3. In the WIAC, widely regarded as one of the premiere Division 3 conferences in the nation, the Warhawks are 20-1 under Leipold. All told, UW-Whitewater has 3 WIAC Championships, 2 National Championships, and one National Runner-up in his three seasons.

I'm not sure it's been said enough: Lance Leipold is an excellent football coach.

Yes, he was chosen over a popular, long time assistant. Yes, he came into a program that had an excellent tradition and foundation. And yes, any coach who experiences early success is subject to, "but these aren't his recruits" arguments.

However, make no mistake about it. This IS Lance Leipold's team. Levell Coppage broke Justin Beaver's all time UW-W Career TD record. And he is a sophomore! Leipold's recruit. Aaron Rusch is the the all time UW-W leader in pass receptions. And he is a junior! Leipold's recruit. The quality of athlete Leipold's Warhawks are attracting to UW-Whitewater is not getting worse, it's getting better.

I'm still not sure it's been said enough: Lance Leipold is an excellent football coach.