Kent Kessinger is an American retired college football coach. He was the head football coach at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, from 2004 to 2021, compiling a record of 108–85.

Kent Kessinger
Kessinger and his team preparing to take the field
Playing career
1988–1991Bethany (KS)
Position(s)Offensive lineman
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1995–2003Augustana (SD) (OC)
2004–2021Ottawa (KS)
Head coaching record
Overall108–85
Tournaments1–6 (NAIA playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
4 KCAC (2009, 2011–2012, 2014)
Awards
KCAC Coach of the Year (2009, 2011)

Playing career

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Kessinger is a graduate of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where he played offensive line under his father, Ted Kessinger.[1]

Coaching career

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Part of Kessinger's coaching style was to encourage athletes to participate in more than one sport. "It breaks up the year, it gives them something to compete with when they're in the offseason, and if they really love to play it, then we encourage them to keep on doing it," he said[2]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs NAIA#
Ottawa Braves (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) (2004–2021)
2004 Ottawa 3–7 3–6 T–8th
2005 Ottawa 5–5 4–5 T–5th
2006 Ottawa 1–9 1–8 10th
2007 Ottawa 4–6 3–6 T–7th
2008 Ottawa 8–2 7–2 T–2nd 22
2009 Ottawa 11–1 9–0 1st L NAIA Quarterfinal 5
2010 Ottawa 9–2 8–1 2nd L NAIA First Round 10
2011 Ottawa 9–3 9–0 1st L NAIA First Round 10
2012 Ottawa 8–3 8–1 1st L NAIA First Round 16
2013 Ottawa 8–4 7–2 T–2nd L NAIA First Round 14
2014 Ottawa 9–3 8–1 1st L NAIA First Round 13
2015 Ottawa 6–4 6–3 4th
2016 Ottawa 4–7 4–5 5th
2017 Ottawa 3–8 3–6 T–7th
2018 Ottawa 8–2 8–2 2nd
2019 Ottawa 2–8 2–8 10th
2020–21 Ottawa 5–5 2–5 T–5th
2021 Ottawa 5–6 4–6 7th
Ottawa: 108–85 96–67
Total: 108–85
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
  • #Rankings from final NAIA Coaches' Poll.

References

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  1. ^ Victory Sports Network Archived March 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Ottawa University
    - Bethel College Athletic News[permanent dead link] "Threshers to open season against Ottawa", Mark Schnabel, September 18, 2004
    - Topeka Capital-Journal[permanent dead link] "Sports Front", Ken Corbitt, September 5, 2005
  2. ^ Michael Ashford (March 21, 2007). "Bravest Of The Braves". Emporia Gazette. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013.