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NCAC Record: 78-14 (1996-present)
Office Phone: (937) 327-6498
| Postal Address: Wittenberg University P.O. Box 720 Springfield, Ohio 45501 |
Package Shipping Address: Wittenberg University 225 Fountain Ave. Springfield, Ohio 45504 |
Joe Fincham has built on the long, proud Wittenberg football tradition, becoming just the second coach in program history to amass more than 100 career wins since becoming head coach prior to the 1996 season.
Fincham has led the Tigers to a 114-28 overall record, including a North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)-best 78-14 record during that time. His teams have captured NCAC titles in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2006, and Wittenberg has reached the NCAA Division III Tournament six times. Fincham has also earned several coaching honors as he was selected NCAC Coach of the Year in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2006, and American Football Coaches Association/Kodak District IV Coach of the Year in 1998.
He was considered an ideal choice to take over Wittenberg's coaching reins when hired in March 1996 after serving as an assistant for six years at Wittenberg. Fincham tutored the offensive line and served as Head Coach Doug Neibuhr's chief aide on offense.
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During his tenure as offensive line coach (a job he continues to hold), he has tutored 10 All-America offensive linemen: Doug Cochran (1990), Mark Chubb (1994), Ron Cunningham (1995), Xan Smith (1996), Jonathan Farley (1997), Aaron Shaffer (1998), Mark Sunderman (2000), Chad Thompson (2002 and 2003), Brad Kassner (2003) and Tim Funke (2006). Dozens of his players have earned first-team all-conference honors since he joined the Wittenberg staff in 1990, including a program-high of 10 in 2006.
In addition, Fincham helped coach an offense which has put up record numbers since 1990. In 1995, the Tiger offense averaged a school-record 484.1 yards per game (third in Division III) and 304.0 ypg rushing (fourth). In 1990, Tiger tailback Jon Warga led Division III in rushing with 1,836 yards and he combined with teammate Jeff Stockdale to set a Division III record for yards rushing by two running backs, 2,563 yards. In 2000, tailback Casey Donaldson set school and conference records for rushing, scoring and touchdowns under Fincham's guidance. In recent years, the Tigers ranked among the nation's best in total offense and scoring offense several times, and in 2006 Tristan Murray shattered school records for consecutive 100-yard rushing games and 100-yard rushing games in a season.
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A native of Williamstown, W.Va., Fincham was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at Ohio University. He served as team captain in 1986. A 1988 graduate of OU, Fincham received a scholar-athlete award from the university and earned a master's degree from the school as well.
Fincham's previous coaching experience includes two years as a graduate assistant at OU and one season as offensive coordinator at Urbana University.
He ranks among the top active coaches in college football (based on winning percentage), he led the program to its 600th all-time victory in 1999 and he has a playoff record of 7-6.
Fincham resides in Springfield with his wife, Rita, and their children, Mac, Samantha and Annie.
Hometown: Williamstown, W.Va.
Alma Mater: Ohio University '88
College Coaching Experience: 1987-89 Graduate Assistant, Ohio University
1989-90 Offensive Coordinator, Urbana University
1991-96 Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach, Wittenberg University
1996-present Head Coach, Wittenberg University
Fincham Year-by-Year:
1996: 9-1, 7-1 NCAC
1997: 9-1, 7-1 NCAC
1998: 11-1, 8-0 NCAC
1999: 11-1, 6-0 NCAC
2000: 12-1, 7-0 NCAC
2001: 11-2, 7-0 NCAC
2002: 10-2, 6-1 NCAC
2003: 8-2, 4-2 NCAC
2004: 7-3, 5-2 NCAC
2005: 5-5, 5-2 NCAC
2006: 7-4, 6-1 NCAC
2007: 8-2, 6-1 NCAC
2008: 6-4, 4-3 NCAC
Coaching Honors:
North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006)
American Football Coaches Association/Kodak District IV Coach of the Year (1998)
American Football Quarterly, Co-Offensive Coordinator of the Year (1995)
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