In replacing a living legend, the most dominant program at the Division III level over the last decade didn’t have to look very far.
Friday, Wisconsin-Whitewater announced that Kevin Bullis has been promoted to the position of head coach. Bullis has spent the past seven seasons with the Warhawks as a defensive assistant, most recently as defensive line coach.
Including Bullis, there were five finalists for the job. The other four, who came from outside the program, were three head coaches -- Wabash College’s Erick Raeburn, Urbana’s Dave Taynor, Ohio Northern’s Dean Paul -- and one defensive coordinator -- UW-Platteville’s Rob Erickson.
“We are thrilled to promote Kevin to the position of head football coach at UW-Whitewater,” athletic director Amy Edmonds said. “His passion, integrity and understanding of the holistic student-athlete experience stood out during the search and screen process. Kevin understands the rich history of Warhawk football and the entire university, and we are confident in his ability to continue our tradition of excellence both on and off the field.”
Bullis becomes the 21st head coach in the program’s history, but just the fourth in the last 60 years. He replaces Lance Leipold, who left to take the head-coaching job at Buffalo of the MAC.
During Leipold’s eight seasons at UW-W, the Warhawks went an astounding 109-6, which includes a current 32-game winning streak. The Warhawks also won six national championships in Leipold’s tenure, and lost in the championship game in another.
UW-W has claimed the last two titles, including a 42-34 Stagg Bowl win over fellow Div. III power Mount Union last month.
(Photo credit: Wisconsin-Whitewater athletics)
