Tom Sawyer (American football)

Tom Sawyer is an American former college football coach. He served as the head football coach at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, from 1996 to 2021, compiling a record of 197–89. A native of Barron, Wisconsin, Sawyer played college football at Winona State, lettering for four years as a linebacker and punter.[1] He retired after the 2021 season.[2]

Tom Sawyer
Playing career
c. 1982Winona State
Position(s)Linebacker, punter
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1987–1989Winona State (assistant)
1991–1994Winona State (assistant)
1996–2021Winona State
Head coaching record
Overall197–89
Bowls2–2
Tournaments1–6 (NCAA D-II playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
8 NSIC (1997–1998, 2000–2001, 2003–2005, 2007)
2 NSIC South Division (2010, 2012)

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs NCAA# AFCA°
Winona State Warriors (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) (1996–2021)
1996 Winona State 4–7 3–3 4th
1997 Winona State 9–2 6–0 1st
1998 Winona State 9–2 6–0 1st 20
1999 Winona State 7–4 6–2 T–2nd
2000 Winona State 9–3 7–1 1st W Mineral Water
2001 Winona State 10–2 9–0 1st L NCAA Division II First Round 13
2002 Winona State 8–4 8–1 2nd L Mineral Water
2003 Winona State 11–2 7–1 T–1st L NCAA Division II Quarterfinal 9
2004 Winona State 10–2 7–0 1st L NCAA Division II First Round 13
2005 Winona State 8–3 6–1 T–1st
2006 Winona State 9–3 7–1 2nd L NCAA Division II First Round 19
2007 Winona State 10–2 9–0 1st L NCAA Division II First Round 23
2008 Winona State 6–5 6–4 / 3–3 T–6th / T–4th (South)
2009 Winona State 7–4 6–4 / 4–2 7th / T–2nd (South)
2010 Winona State 7–4 6–4 / 5–1 T–5th / T–1st (South)
2011 Winona State 7–4 7–3 / 4–2 T–4th / T–2nd (South)
2012 Winona State 10–2 9–2 / 6–1 T–2nd / 1st (South) W Mineral Water
2013 Winona State 6–5 6–5 / 4–3 T–5th / T–3rd (South)
2014 Winona State 4–7 4–7 / 1–6 12th / 8th (South)
2015 Winona State 5–6 5–6 / 3–4 11th / T–5th (South)
2016 Winona State 8–3 8–3 / 5–2 T–3rd / T–2nd (South)
2017 Winona State 10–2 10–1 / 6–1 2nd / 2nd (South) L NCAA Division II First Round 15
2018 Winona State 8–3 8–3 / 5–2 T–3rd / T–2nd (South)
2019 Winona State 8–4 8–3 / 4–3 T–3rd / T–3rd (South) L Mineral Water
2020–21 No team—COVID-19
2021 Winona State 7–4 7–4 / 4–2 T–5th / 3rd (South)
Winona State: 197–89 171–59
Total: 197–89
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Sawyer to run WSU football program". La Crosse Tribune. La Crosse, Wisconsin. June 5, 1996. p. D3. Retrieved January 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .
  2. ^ Babbini, Carson; Mergen, Rachel (November 13, 2021). "'A living legend': Tom Sawyer retires as WSU coach after 25 years". Winona Daily News. Winona, Minnesota. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
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