Dave Maurer was a three-year letter winner and senior captain as quarterback of the Big Red football team. In 1951, his 18 completions against Oberlin set a school mark, while his 77-yard touchdown pass was also a school best. Those records have since been broken. Dave left Denison the all-time leader in passing yards with 2,819. He was named All-Ohio Conference as a sophomore and junior. He also earned two letters in basketball.
After graduating from Denison, the Duquesne, Pa. native took an assistant coaching position at Wittenberg University. After serving 13 years as an assistant coach under Wittenberg legend Bill Edwards, Maurer was named the head football coach in 1969. During his 15-year stint as head coach, Dave posted a 129-23-3 record, won Division III National Championships in 1973 and 1975, captured two Ohio Athletic Conference Championships (1969, 1970) and posted three undefeated seasons (1969, 1970, 1973). He also coached two teams that finished second in Division III (1978, 1979).
Maurer was named AFCA College Division Coach of the Year in 1973 and again in 1975. He was also a five-time OAC Coach of the Year (1969, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979). Dave is the second winningest coach in OAC history (.842), behind Mount Union’s legendary coach Larry Kehres.
In 1987, Maurer was inducted into the Wittenberg University Athletic Hall of Honors. Four years later, he was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame.
