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Ralph Kirchenheiter

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Ralph Kirchenheiter
Kirchenheiter in 1973
Biographical details
Bornc. 1939 or 1940 (age 84–85)
Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
Alma materWest Virginia University
Wofford College (1961)
Seton Hall University (1965)
University of Rhode Island
University of Minnesota
Playing career
Football
1958West Virginia
1959–1960Wofford
Baseball
1959, 1961Wallington Hillsides
Position(s)Guard, linebacker (football)
First baseman (baseball)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1964–1968River Dell HS (NJ) (DC)
1969–1971River Dell HS (NJ)
1972William & Mary (DB)
1973–1977William & Mary (DB/RC)
1978William & Mary (DC/LB)
1979–1980Virginia (DB)
1981–1989Muhlenberg
1995Lehigh (JV/DL)
Basketball
c. 1960sRiver Dell HS (NJ) (freshmen)
Track and field
c. 1960sRiver Dell HS (NJ)
Golf
c. 1960sRiver Dell HS (NJ)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1983–1984Muhlenberg (interim AD)
1984–1995Muhlenberg
Head coaching record
Overall52–33–1 (college football)
18–9 (high school football)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 Centennial (1983, 1986)

Ralph A. Kirchenheiter (born c. 1939 or 1940) is an American former college football coach and administrator. He was the head football coach and athletic director for Muhlenberg College from 1981 to 1989 and 1983 to 1995, respectively.

Early life, playing career, and military career

[edit]

Kirchenheiter was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, to Emil James Kirchenheiter (1903–1991) and Ruth Irma Blake (1905–1978) and was from German descent. He had at least two brothers. He grew up in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey and attended The Lincoln School. As a child, he was regularly involved in the school's plays and he served on the school's safety patrol as the lieutenant.[1][2] In 1952, Kirchenheiter was hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center to receive an appendectomy.[3] He graduated from The Lincoln School in 1953.[4] In 1953, he was enrolled at Hasbrouck Heights High School.[5] He was one of 37 freshmen to receive honor roll honors in 1954.[5]

As a junior in 1955, Kirchenheiter transferred to Wallington High School in Wallington, New Jersey. With Wallington, he began to play high school football.[6] He was a member of the third-ever football team for Wallington under head coach Bill Tryanowski as a guard.[6] He mainly served as a backup during his initial season with the team.[7] During his senior year, Kirchenheiter became a three-sport athlete, participating in football, baseball,[8] and basketball.[9] As a member of the football team, he was voted as the team's co-captain.[10] At the fourth annual Wallington Hall School dinner sponsored by the Hillside Club boosters, Kirchenheiter and three other seniors were honored as recipients of the John Lulay Memorial Trophy.[11] Kirchenheiter was specifically selected due to his success in baseball and football.[11] The dinner's guest speaker was former professional football player and current editor of the Passaic City Herald Augie Lio.[11] Kirchenheiter earned a scholarship through the Hillside Ladies' Auxiliary.[12]

Kirchenheiter briefly attended West Virginia University in pursuit of becoming an engineer before transferring to Wofford College.[13] He was a guard and linebacker on the Terriers football team. He served as a reserve at only 195 pounds,[14] lining up mostly with the second team line.[15]

While attending Wofford, Kirchenheiter played baseball as a first baseman with the Wallington Hillsides, a semi-professional independent team.[16][17]

Kirchenheiter was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.[18]

In 1960, Kirchenheiter enrolled into a Reserve Officers' Training Corps training camp at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, as a cadet.[19] During the training, he received specialized training on becoming a second lieutenant.[19] He officially enlisted in the United States Army as a second lieutenant in September 1961. He completed an eight-week officer orientation course at the Transportation School at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia.[20] The training was in preparation in becoming a Transportation Corps officer.[20] In June 1962, he was stationed in San Francisco as a special services officer.[21] In 1963, he was promoted first lieutenant at a ceremony held at the Oakland Army Base.[22] Alongside his promotion, he was in the plans branch of the Cargo Operations Division.[22]

Coaching and administration career

[edit]

Kirchenheiter began his coaching career in 1964 as the defensive coordinator for River Dell High School. In his initial season, he served under Bergen County Coach of the Year Matty Certosimo, as the team finished with a perfect 9–0 record.[23] In June 1967, Kirchenheiter earned his master's degree in education from Seton Hall University.[24] Alongside Seton Hall, he also attended the University of Rhode Island and attended the University of Minnesota.[25] He spoke at coaching clinics during the offseason, specifically talking about drills pertaining to linebackers.[26] After five seasons he was promoted to head football coach at the recommendation of former head coach Certosimo.[25][27] In Kirchenheiter's first season, he led the team to a disastrous 1–8 season.[28] In his second season, the team finished with an undefeated 9–0 season including the North Bergen Interscholastic Athletic League (NBIAL) championship.[29] After the season he was voted as the NBIAL Coach of the Year.[29] In 1971, the team finished with a 8–1 record and repeated as conference champions.[30] He resigned in January 1972 after three seasons as head coach,[31] he led the team to an overall record of 18–9 and back-to-back NBIAL championships.[32]

While coaching football for the high school, Kirchenheiter taught science as River Dell Junior High School.[33] He also served as the head golf and track and field coach and as the freshmen basketball coach for the high school.[25]

In 1972, Kirchenheiter was hired as the defensive backs coach for William & Mary, his first collegiate coaching position.[31] In 1973, he was promoted to the team's recruiting coordinator.[34] In 1978, he was promoted to defensive coordinator and shifted from defensive backs coach to linebackers coach.[35] He succeeded Lou Tepper who left for Virginia Tech.[36] In his lone season as defensive coordinator, he helped lead the Tribe to a 5–5–1 and the fifth best passing defense in the country.[37] During his stint with William & Mary, he sent two players to the NFL: linebackers Steve Shull and Jim Ryan.[13] In 1979, he left to become the defensive backs coach for Virginia.[37] During his time with the Cavaliers he sent one defensive back to the NFL: Tony Blount.[13]

After two seasons with Virginia, Kirchenheiter was hired as the head football coach for Muhlenberg College.[13][38] He took over for Frank P. Marino who held the position for 11 seasons.[13] Kirchenheiter mainly retained the previous staff of Bob Kohler, Dick Butler, Tom Filipovits, and Bob Shaffer.[13] Kirchenheiter also, for the first time in his career, took control of the team's offense despite having built his reputation as a defensive coach.[13] He modeled his offensive after Wake Forest head coach John Mackovic and his use of the I formation.[13] In his first two seasons, Muhlenberg was a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) and finished with a 3–5 and 4–5 record in 1981 and 1982, respectively. In 1983, the school's first as a member of the Centennial Conference, the team finished with its first winning season under Kirchenheiter as the team finished 6–3 alongside sharing the inaugural Centennial Conference championship.[39] From 1985 to 1988, the team finished four-straight seasons with a record of 7–3.[40] In 1989, the team finished 5–4–1, its worst since 1982.[40] Following the season, Kirchenheiter resigned,[41] ending his tenure having never beaten rival Moravian.[40] He amassed an overall record of 52–33–1, just two wins short of the Muhlenberg all-time wins leader behind his predecessor Frank P. Marino.[41]

While serving as head coach, Kirchenheiter served as an assistant professor of physical education.[42] In 1983, he was named interim athletic director after Joseph Now fell ill.[43] After a year in the interim position, he was promoted to full-time athletic director in 1984.[43] His first actions taken as athletic director was hiring the first-ever full-time assistant football coach in Brian Bodine and hiring a track coach.[43] He also added three women's sports in track and field, cross country, and lacrosse.[41] He resigned in 1995.[44]

In 1995, Kirchenheiter returned to coaching as the junior varsity coach and defensive line coach for Lehigh.[44] He spent one season with the school.

Personal life

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In April 1961, Kirchenheiter got engaged to Andrea Gorcica, a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[18] The pair married in June 1962 at the Most Sacred Heart Church after holding their reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Wallington.[21] They celebrated their honeymoon in San Francisco, where Kirchenheiter was stationed.[21] Their daughter was born in January 1964 in The Valley Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey.[45] She was the first baby born of Oakland, New Jersey, parents in 1964 and as a result was selected as the winner of free diaper services from Consolidated Laundry Service in Mount Vernon, New York.[45] Their son was born two years later.[29]

In 1966, Kirchenheiter was involved in a car accident at 4:30 a.m. when a Pompton Lakes native crossed over the center line on New Jersey Route 208 and hit Kirchenheiter's vehicle causing extensive damage to the front fender.[46] Neither man was injured while the Pompton Lakes man was given a citation for leaving the accident.[46]

Head coaching record

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College football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Muhlenberg Mules (Middle Atlantic Conference) (1981–1982)
1981 Muhlenberg 3–5 3–5 8th (Southern)
1982 Muhlenberg 4–5 4–4 5th (Southern)
Muhlenberg Mules (Centennial Conference) (1983–1989)
1983 Muhlenberg 6–3 5–2 T–1st
1984 Muhlenberg 6–3 5–2 3rd
1985 Muhlenberg 7–3 5–2 3rd
1986 Muhlenberg 7–3 6–1 T–1st
1987 Muhlenberg 7–3 5–2 T–2nd
1988 Muhlenberg 7–3 5–2 3rd
1989 Muhlenberg 5–4–1 4–2–1 3rd
Muhlenberg: 52–33–1 42–22–1
Total: 52–33–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

[47]

High school

[edit]
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
River Dell Golden Hawks (North Bergen Interscholastic Athletic League) (1969–1971)
1969 River Dell 1–8 1–5 (Eastern)
1970 River Dell 9–0
1971 River Dell 8–1
River Dell: 18–9
Total: 18–9
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

[32]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Schneider Leads Salute". The Record. March 4, 1950. p. 7. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  2. ^ "Patrol Elects". The Record. June 24, 1952. p. 9. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  3. ^ "Hackensack Social Notes". The Record. September 12, 1952. p. 17. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  4. ^ "Pupils Portray U. S. History at Last Assembly". The Record. June 19, 1953. p. 34. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Heights Lists Honor Pupils". The Herald-News. March 25, 1954. p. 14. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Northern Valley Grid Eleven Opens First Season Tomorrow". The Record. September 30, 1955. p. 80. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  7. ^ "St. Mary's, Pope Pius, Wallington to Continue Unbeaten Tomorrow". The Herald-News. October 22, 1955. p. 12. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  8. ^ "Wallington Loses, 9-6". The Herald-News. May 10, 1956. p. 47. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  9. ^ "North Arlington Cops 15, Defeats Wallington, 79-63". The Herald-News. February 16, 1957. p. 12. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  10. ^ "Wallington Seeks 6th Straight Grid Victory". The Herald-News. November 20, 1956. p. 18. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c "Wallington Honors Seniors". The Herald-News. June 10, 1957. p. 24. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  12. ^ "Wallington High School Holds Graduation Exercises Tonight". The Herald-News. June 19, 1957. p. 12. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h Lapos, Jack (February 28, 1981). "New Muhlenberg grid coach is his own man". The Morning Call. p. 34. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  14. ^ "Wofford Has Thinnest Line In Years; Wilson Question". The Greenville News. September 4, 1959. p. 26. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  15. ^ "Lines Usually Settle Bear-Terrier Outcome". The Greenville News. September 17, 1959. p. 23. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  16. ^ "Hillsides Romp, 14-3". The Herald-News. July 31, 1959. p. 18. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  17. ^ "Hillsides Nip Troasts". The Herald-News. June 26, 1961. p. 23. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Wallington Couple's Engagement Announced". The Herald-News. April 5, 1961. p. 15. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  19. ^ a b "Kirchenheiter In Army Training". The Messenger. July 14, 1960. p. 3. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Lt. Kirchenheiter Ends Orientation". The Morning Call. November 16, 1961. p. 21. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  21. ^ a b c "Newlyweds To Live In San Francisco". The Herald-News. June 11, 1962. p. 38. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Army Promoted Wallington Man". The Herald-News. April 16, 1963. p. 17. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  23. ^ Nugent, Bill (December 4, 1964). "Bergen Coach-Of-Year Award Is Taken Again By Certosimo". The Record. p. 58. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  24. ^ "Seton Hall Graduates 27 Residents Of Area". The Sunday News. June 11, 1967. p. 82. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  25. ^ a b c "Kirchenheiter Named Coach At River Dell". The Record. November 15, 1968. p. 53. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  26. ^ "Coaches Set Clinic". The Morning Call. June 8, 1967. p. 26. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  27. ^ Borgi, Augie (October 29, 1968). "River Dell Coach Resigns". The Record. p. 31. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  28. ^ "Rockers Triumph Over River Dell". The Record. November 28, 1969. p. 94. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  29. ^ a b c Kirsch, Fred (December 7, 1970). "Kirchenheiter, Coach Of Year, Kept On The Go". The Record. p. 31. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  30. ^ Kenney, Marty (November 14, 1971). "River Dell Town Champ; Subdues Bergen Catholic". The Sunday News. p. 113. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  31. ^ a b Gordon, Sid (January 30, 1972). "Kirchenheiter Leaving River Dell". The Sunday News. p. 101. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "River Dell High School Football" (PDF). River Dell High School. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  33. ^ "When They Fall, They'll Know Where". The Record. May 5, 1965. p. 43. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  34. ^ Rowe, John (March 28, 1973). "Recruiting defends themselves". The Record. p. 53. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  35. ^ "W&M Promotes Kirchenheiter". Richmond Times-Dispatch. March 15, 1978. p. 32. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  36. ^ "Kirchenheiter Gets Promotion To Head W&M Grid Defense". Daily Press. March 15, 1978. p. 21. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  37. ^ a b "Bestwick Names Coach". The Daily Progress. January 27, 1979. p. 19. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  38. ^ "Kirchenheiter Takes Post At Muhlenburg[sic]". The Daily Progress. February 12, 1981. p. 25. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  39. ^ Lapos, Jack (September 14, 1984). "Mules' Kirchenheiter hopes history repeats". The Morning Call. p. 37. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  40. ^ a b c Blockus, Gary R. (November 10, 1989). "Muhlenberg coach bit concerned about this year's battle". The Morning Call. p. 41. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  41. ^ a b c Blockus, Gary R. (November 14, 1989). "Kirchenheiter quits as Mules' coach". The Morning Call. p. 37. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  42. ^ "Muhlenberg appoints faculty, staff members". The Morning Call. September 20, 1981. p. 45. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  43. ^ a b c Lapos, Jack (August 12, 1984). "Ralph Kirchenheiter enjoys wearing two hats". The Morning Call. p. 43. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  44. ^ a b "Kirchenheiter, Clawson added to Lehigh staff". The Morning Call. August 10, 1995. p. 39. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  45. ^ a b "Tercentenary Baby". The News. January 23, 1964. p. 8. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  46. ^ a b "Driver Ticketed For Leaving Accident Scene". The News. March 15, 1966. p. 12. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  47. ^ "NCAA Statistics; Coach; Ralph Kirchenheiter". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
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