Former Football Coach Jim Wacker Passes Away
8/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 26, 2003
The TCU Athletics community was saddened today as they learned of the passing of former head football coach Jim Wacker. He was 66 years old.
"I've heard nothing but positive things about Coach Wacker from those he was most closely associated with at TCU," said TCU athletics director Eric Hyman. "His enthusiasm and his energy were contagious. He was always very positive and upbeat. TCU people have very fond memories of him during his tenure in Fort Worth. He touched a lot of lives and lived each day to the fullest. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family," added Hyman.
From 1983 through 1991, Horned Frog grid fortunes were in the hands of Wacker, who was a Texas college coaching legend after logging a pair of national championships at Division II Southwest Texas State and at Texas Lutheran, an NAIA school. Wacker's first campaign at TCU produced only a 1-8-2 record, but he steered the Horned Frogs to a dramatic 8-4 turnaround in 1984 en route to a Bluebonnet Bowl date. Several national, as well as Southwest Conference Coach of the Year honors ultimately were awarded to the bubbly coach. He posted a 40-58-2 record during his nine year stint with the Horned Frogs, ranking third on the all-time list in games coached and fourth in career victories at TCU.
JIM WACKER PROFILE
Born: James Herbert Wacker, April 28, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan.
High School: Lutheran High of Detroit.
College: Valparaiso (Ind.); graduated in 1959. - three year letterman on the offensive line.
Master's degree - Wayne State (1961).
Doctorate in Education - Nebraska (1970).
TCU record: 40-58-2.
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