Gary M. Buer (born June 8, 1946) is an American educator and former football coach. He served as the head football coach at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota in 1977 to 1978, Southwest State University—now known as Southwest Minnesota State University—in Marshall, Minnesota from 1979 to 1992, and Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia from 2003 to 2006, compiling a career college football coaching record of 92–102–5.

Gary Buer
Biographical details
Born(1946-06-08)June 8, 1946
Playing career
c. 1967Minnesota–Morris
Position(s)Defensive end
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1972St. Cloud State (DC)
1973Dakota State (DE/LB)
1974–1975Minnesota–Morris (assistant)
1976BYU (GA/JV)
1977–1978Dakota State
1979–1992Southwest State
1993–1996Minnesota (assistant)
1997–2000Marshall Senior HS (MN)
2001–2002Sabino HS (AZ)
2003–2006Southern Virginia
2007–2015Independence HS (AZ)
Baseball
1976Dakota State
Head coaching record
Overall92–102–5 (college football)
Tournaments0–1 (NAIA D-I playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 SDIC (1977–1978)
1 NIC (1990)
Awards
NIC Coach of the Year (1987)

Playing career and military service

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A native of Atwater, Minnesota, Buer graduated from the University of Minnesota Morris, where he played college football as a defensive end. In 1970, Buer enlisted in the United States Army serving in South Vietnam.

Coaching career

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Early coaching career

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After being honorably discharged from the Army, Buer worked as the defensive coordinator at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he earned a master's degree. In 1973, he was an at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. Buer then spent two years as an assistant his alma mater, the University of Minnesota Morris, before returning to Dakota State in March 1976 as head baseball coach and defensive coordinator for the football team.[1] By August 176, Buer has moved on to Brigham Young University (BYU) as a graduate assistant. With four other graduate assistants, he coached junior varsity football team, while earning his doctorate in physical education and athletic administration.[2]

Head coach at Dakota State

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Buer's first head coaching position was at Dakota State. During his two seasons, the Trojans compiled a record of 18–2 and he was named NAIA District Coach of the Year and conference Coach of the Year in 1977 and 1978.

Minnesota

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Buer coached at the University of Minnesota from 1993 to 1996 under Jim Wacker.

Marshall Senior High School

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Buer served as head football coach and activities director at Marshall Senior High School in Marshall, Minnesota from 1997 to 2000.

Sabino High School

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In 2001, Gary Buer was hired as head football coach at Sabino High School in Tanque Verde, Arizona. Sabino finished 5–5 in 2001 and 853 in 2002. Sabino won the league championship and made a state playoff appearance in 2002. In 2003, Buer left the Sabercats to build a new college football program at a small, private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, VA.[3]

Southern Virginia

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In 2003, Buer was named the first head football coach at Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia. He helped to build the new football program and held that position for four seasons, from 2003 until 2006. His coaching record at Southern Virginia was 4–31.[4]

Independence High School

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Gary Buer was named head football coach at Independence High School in Glendale, Arizona in 2007. In 2009 the Patriot football team won the Western Sky Region Championship and Buer was voted Region "Coach of The Year" by his coaching peers.[5]

Head coaching record

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College football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs NAIA#
Dakota State Trojans (South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference) (1977–1978)
1977 Dakota State 10–0 5–0 1st 6
1978 Dakota State 8–2 6–0 1st T–20
Dakota State: 18–2 11–0
Southwest State Mustangs (Northern / Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) (1979–1992)
1979 Southwest State 4–7 2–6 7th
1980 Southwest State 3–6–1 2–5–1 6th
1981 Southwest State 6–4 3–3 4th
1982 Southwest State 2–7 2–4 T–4th
1983 Southwest State 3–6–2 1–3–2 T–5th
1984 Southwest State 3–7 0–6 7th
1985 Southwest State 6–4 3–3 T–3rd
1986 Southwest State 4–6 2–4 T–5th
1987 Southwest State 7–4–1 4–1–1 2nd 14
1988 Southwest State 4–6 2–4 5th
1989 Southwest State 5–5 4–2 T–2nd
1990 Southwest State 8–3 5–1 T–1st L NAIA Division I Quarterfinal 5
1991 Southwest State 9–1 5–1 2nd 9
1992 Southwest State 6–3–1 4–1–1 T–2nd
Southwest State: 70–69–5 39–44–5
Southern Virginia Knights (NAIA independent) (2003–2006)
2003 Southern Virginia 0–10
2004 Southern Virginia 0–8
2005 Southern Virginia 1–6
2006 Southern Virginia 3–7
Southern Virginia: 4–31
Total: 92–102–5
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Gary Buer Named". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. March 21, 1976. p. 33. Retrieved November 26, 2019 – via Newspapers.com  .
  2. ^ "Familiar Faces Guide Jayvees". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. August 21, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved November 26, 2019 – via Newspapers.com  .
  3. ^ Southwest Minnesota State University. "SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor". SMSU. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
  4. ^ DeLassus, David. "Southern Virginia Coaching Records". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
  5. ^ "Independence Patriots Varsity Head Football Coach". hometeamsonline.com. Retrieved December 8, 2010.