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Football

Head Coach Bill Cronin

The 2007 season marks head coach Bill Cronin’s eleventh year guiding the Tiger football program. One of the premier coaches in the NAIA, Cronin has developed Georgetown into one of the powerhouses in NAIA football, leading the Tigers each and every season on a path to a National Championship.

This year Cronin was named to the American Football Coaches Association Board of Directors, the only NAIA member of the board, which is responsible for setting the policies and procedures of collegiate football at all levels. Last season he hit a major milestone of 100 wins in less than ten full season (tenth season, third game), putting him in the company of legendary coaches like Steve Spurrier who earned his 100th in the tenth season, eighth game while at the University of Flordia. "I hope the ten year worth of kids and coaches that have come through this program all feel a part of this milestone," said Cronin. Perhaps even more unusual is that four members of his staff have been with him for each of the 100 wins, Dave Campbell, Steve Hill, Craig Mullins and Bruce Owens.

He has been named the Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year an unprecedented five times, receiving the honor in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004. In ten seasons at Georgetown, Cronin has led the Tigers to two NAIA national championships and two runner-up finishes. He is the winningest coach in school history with a career record of 106-19 (.848), a two-time NAIA Coach of the Year and a five-time Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year.

Cronin was named Georgetown’s head football coach in the spring of 1997. He brought with him a renewal of the Tiger football tradition built, partially by then-assistant Cronin, in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. From 1987-92, under head coach Kevin Donley, the Tigers posted a record of 52-15-1 and claimed a National Championship in 1991. During those years it was Cronin who served as Donley’s chief assistant head coach.

At the time of Cronin’s hiring in 1997, his squad, which was picked last in the Mid-South by most, finished 5-4 overall, placed second in the MSC and came within one win from an NAIA playoff berth. The very next year they made it to the NAIA’s Elite Eight with a 9-3 mark.

Cronin is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana and earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. His first head coaching position was at Carmel Junior High School in Carmel, IN. He held the position while doing graduate work at IU. After serving one year as an assistant football coach at Anderson College (IN), Cronin came to Georgetown with Kevin Donley, who was Anderson’s former head coach in 1982. Cronin also holds Master’s of Science of Arts & Secondary Education from Ball State University.

Cronin’s wife Ellen, also an Indianapolis native, is a physical education teacher at Anne Mason Elementary School in Georgetown. The couple have three sons, Kevin, a student at Eastern Kentucky University; Chris, a senior at Georgetown College and student member of his father's staff; and Cory, a student at Scott County High.

James Dummer - Kickers

James Dummer is a newcomer to the Tiger staff and joins the program to coach both the placekickers and punters.

“I’m really impressed with his rapport with the players – he is a great communicator and will be a tremendous help with our special teams,” said Head Coach Bill Cronin.

The former business manager and middle school science teacher was raised in Klein, Texas and played college football and soccer at Sam Houston State University. He looks forward to bringing the benefits of both styles of kicking to the Tiger kickers. “I hope to share my knowledge and skills of the game,” he said.

Dummer holds the power clean record for kickers at Sam Houston and was the team’s leading scorer for both the 1997 and 1998 seasons. In addition, he was honored as the Southland Conference and Sam Houston Special Teams Player of the Week several times.

Dummer is married to Georgetown College Professor Susan Schiffman Dummer and they have two children, Tyler, age eight, and Josie, age two. In his spare time he enjoys woodworking, fishing and devotes time to church and helping out with Tyler’s soccer team.

Dwayne Ellison - Offensive Skill

Juggling responsibilities is no problem for wingbacks coach Dwayne Ellison. Entering his third year on the Tiger staff, Ellison also commits himself to teaching high school at Scott County and serves as a dean of students and head track coach in addition to the responsibilities on Georgetown’s campus.

This year will be Ellison’s first in coaching on the “other side of the ball,” as he moves from defense to offense. “I think it will be a huge asset for the offense to have his experience,” said Head Coach Bill Cronin. “Dwayne will bring creativity and a defensive perspective that will be so beneficial to our offensive players.”

The Mid-South Conference is a comfortable place for Ellison, who was a four-year letterman at Campbellsville University and always looked forward to the Georgetown game every season, not knowing that he would one day wear orange and black. “It’s all about the competition and giving something back to the sport that has given me so much,” says Ellison, “not about the colors on your shirt.”

The Fleming County native and his wife Crissy, also a teacher in the Scott County school system, have a sixteen-month old daughter, Riley.

Steve Hill - Offensive Line

Steve Hill knows he is in a special situation.

After all, when you play college football at a school and then get to coach there, you know the ins and outs of the program and, more importantly, the types of student-athletes recruited to wear the orange and black.

“Character and winning are expected,” says the 35 year-old native of Detroit, Michigan, “and I don’t just mean on the field.”

Hill enters his tenth season as the coach of the offensive line and was an NAIA All-American during his years at Georgetown at the same position. He spent one year coaching at Madison Central High before joining the Tiger staff in 1997.

Head Coach Bill Cronin says he admires Steve’s approach to life. “The thing I love about Steve is that he has a positive attitude and good spirit all the time.” However, Cronin expects that attitude to be tested this season as Hill takes on the task of rebuilding a new offensive line. “I’m very comfortable with him being the one with the challenge of a young group with big shoes to fill.”

He and his wife, Dana, a fourth grade teacher, live in Paris and have two children, Maxwell, age five and Allison, age two. In his free time, Steve enjoys running and adventure travel.

Shan Housekeeper - Strength & Conditioning/Linebackers

The 2008 season will mark the first for Coach Shan Housekeeper, a two-time NAIA first team All-American, who knows how to make the results of hard work show on the field. The native of Marion, Ohio is a 2003 graduate of Georgetown College and made a name for himself immediately out of his collegiate career as a tough and respected strength and conditioning coach as the owner of C.A.M.P. Acceleration Training.

Housekeeper was a linebacker on two Tiger National Championship teams, in 2000 and 2001. He also played one year for the Lexington Horseman Indoor Football Team in 2004 and placed second in the 2006 Kentucky's Strongest Man Championship.

Shan and his wife, the former Tabitha Kelly, are the proud parents of three month old twins, Zaden and Zyler. Tabitha is also a graduate of Georgetown College.

Brian Landis - Defensive Backs

Defensive backs and special teams coach Brian Landis credits Georgetown College as “the place where I became a man.”

And you could certainly add that it is a place of great highlights in the current Scott County High teacher’s life. He was a vital part of the 2000 National Championship team, holds two degrees from Georgetown and is listed many times in the football record books, including second on the all-time list of most tackles with 227 unassisted and 154 assisted tackles in his career from 1997-2000.

In addition, the 2001 National Championship year was the Cincinnati native’s first year in coaching. “I have had the success of a lifetime already,” says Landis. “I have played for a National Championship, coached for a National Championship and look forward to winning many more national titles here.”

Head Coach Bill Cronin loves Landis’ enthusiasm. “I think his excitement will spill over to the players – he is a great young coach.”

Landis spent one season as part of the Lexington Horseman team in 2005 and is engaged to be married to Ashley Tingle, a marketing consultant with WKYT-TV.

John Leindecker - Equipment Manager

Entering his eighth year as a member of the Georgetown College Football staff, John Leindecker’s responsibilities to the Tiger Football team seem unending.

After serving on the kicking staff for a number of years, in addition to serving as equipment manager, this season he will focus solely on team management.

And it is a responsibility that takes more time than anyone realizes.

When you add practice, home and away uniforms, the number of jerseys alone amounts to over 400 jersey and that doesn’t begin to include the helmets, pads, cleats and the list goes on and on. “The number of hours outside of practices and games is immeasurable and is appreciated by the coaches and players alike,” said Head Coach Bill Cronin.

“The coaches and the great players I work with make this a special place to be,” said Leindecker.

The Lexington, Ky native is currently working towards a degree in culinary arts. In the past, he has worked at the University of Kentucky as a member of the football staff and as a program manager and junior varsity offensive coach at Henry Clay High.

Clyde McConnaughhay - Fullbacks & Tight Ends

Georgetown College has always “felt like home” to Coach Clyde McConnaughhay.

More often referred to as “Coach Mac,” McConnaughhay is a former Tiger himself and begins his seventh season coaching the positions of fullback and tight end. He also coaches the punters and kickoff return team. Before joining the Tiger staff, McConnaughhay taught and coached at Scott County High from 1984 to 1996 and has spent portions of his career at Carroll County and Georgetown High schools.

“I enjoy working with young men and watching them give their best to be the best,” he said.

McConnaughhay lettered not only in football during his days at Georgetown College from 1963-1966, but also as a member of the track team. As a player on the 1965 undefeated Tiger team, he was honored by being selected to the All Southern Team.

Outside of football, McConnaughhay devotes his time to both family and church. He and his wife Dawne, a retired teacher, have two sons and daughters-in-law, Ryan and Nicole McConnaughhay and Ross and Laryssa McConnaughhay and two grandsons, Kaden and Tate.

“Coach Mac bring a sense of calm to all of us,” said Head Coach Bill Cronin. “He is definitely my weatherman and it is just great to have he and Dawne as a part of this team.”

Craig Mullins - Offensive Coordinator

Craig Mullins practiced what he now preaches. “I remember what it feels like to behind that line, looking for a set of open hands,” says the former Georgetown College and Boone County High quarterback.

And it’s as if the apple doesn’t fall far from his tree when looking at the growth of the players that he has helped develop. A few examples include current starting quarterback Jeff Smith and three-time NAIA Player of the Year Eddie Eviston.

After the 1998 season his responsibilities expanded to offensive coordinator, a goal he had set for some time. “I like the creativity the position of offensive coordinator allows me,” says Mullins. “I guess you could say I like to keep them guessing.”

Head Coach Bill Cronin relies on that creativity. “He has really taken our offense to a new level and I appreciate how hard he works to improve himself and our team.”

In addition to field duties, Mullins also serves as the team’s “academic counselor,” organizing study tables and addressing any academic problems that arise on the team. “He is a big reason as to why we have an overall team grade point average of 3.0,” said Cronin.

Mullins says the entire college community makes Georgetown College a unique and special place to be, but his favorite part of coaching is the relationships with the players. “It’s not like working a real job because of the time you spend with them.”

This spring he was the first recipient of the Donna Hawkins Coaching for Significance Award for his dedication to student-athletes. Craig and his wife, the former Heidi Schmidt, have two sons, Cade, age five, and Coy, age two.

Bruce Owens - Defensive Line

Assistant Head Coach Bruce Owens is beginning his twentieth year in the coaching profession. He also serves as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator and has spent the majority of his career with Tiger Football, with the exception of four years spent at California University of Penn from 1993-1996.

“Bruce is responsible for many of the players we have here and does a great job coaching the defensive line,” said Head Coach Bill Cronin. “The dedication and loyalty he and his wife have shown to Georgetown College is phenomenal.”

The Cincinnati native spent his playing days wearing the orange and black from 1982-1985 and he graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He also holds a Masters of Education Degree from Xavier University.

Owens and his wife, Kathy, a ninth grade English teacher, have two sons, Sean Patrick, age 14, and Connor William, age 11.

Tom Palmer - Defensive Line/Linebackers

Although this is Tom Palmer's first season as a member of the Tiger Football staff, he is no stranger to coaching. The Charles City, Iowa native coached at both the high school and collegiate levels before making a career in industrial management. He currently serves as the plant manager for Webasto Roof Systems in Lexington.

Palmer is a graduate of Upper Iowa University, where he was a four year letter winner in football. He and his wife, Eliana, have been married for 38 years and have two children who also were collegiate athletes - daughter, Cheyenne, played basketball for Iowa State University, and son, Bart, played football at the University of Iowa.

"I love the game of football and the opportunity to work closely with young men to achieve a common goal," said Palmer. "Small college football is about the players, their growth and their accomplishments and I think there is a very pure motive at Georgetown to help a young man be the best student-athlete he can be. I feel honored to be a part of that process."

Tom enjoys biking, weightlifting and woodworking and devotes time to his church and to public speaking.

Marty Park - Wide Receivers

Receivers and special teams coach Marty Park begins his seventh season as a coach, following a stand-out career as a Tiger in the late 1990s. Park has had a unique experience of being a part of four national championship games in a row, in 1999 as a player on the runner-up team and as a coach for the 2000 and 2001 National Championships and 2002 runner-up team.

Head Coach Bill Cronin lovingly refers to Park as “do it all Marty” and says that he has always been that way from student to coach. “He is the most pleasant person to be around and is the same no matter if it is something he does behind the scenes or in the limelight. Marty does everything with a smile.”

When he reflects on the skills he acquired as a student and player, he can’t think of a way Georgetown College didn’t shape the person he has become. “I was afforded the opportunity to learn from the best character builders in the business of coaching,” says Park. “Georgetown College is a part of who I am and how I live my life.”

Park works as the Chief Information Officer for the Clark County School District and has taught undergraduate and graduate classes at Georgetown as an adjunct professor. He is married to Leah Coey Park, who is a human resources manager for Host Communications/Triple Crown Media. They added a baby girl, Neilson, to their family in December.

Jim Tanara - Defensive Coordinator

New to the Tiger Program but no stranger to football, even at it's highest levels, is Defensive Coordinator Jim Tanara.

Tanara has coached football for 42 years and has been a part of four combined national championships at both the University of Alabama and Eastern Kentucky University, serving under legendary coaches Paul "Bear" Bryant and Roy Kidd, respectively. While at Alabama from 1968-1979, he worked primarily with the defensive line and served in the same capacity at Eastern until taking the defensive coordinator responsibility in 1999 and holding it until his retirement in 2005. His retirement didn't last long as he joined Coach Bill Cronin's staff in February 2008 and looks to add a NAIA National Championship to his lengthy list of accomplishments.

"I look forward to working at another school with a great winning tradition," said Tanara.

The native of Spring City, Pennsylvania, played collegiate football at the University of Chattanooga as a defensive end and also holds a graduate degree from Alabama. He and his wife, Charlotte, have two children, Julie and Jimmy and one granddaughter, Sophie, who is four.