Dr. Ted Kessinger (born January 15, 1941 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota) is the former head football coach at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. He led the Terrible Swedes from 1976 to 2003 and built a record of 219 wins, 57 losses, and 1 tie. While at Bethany, he took his team to the NAIA playoffs ten times and achieved a top 25 ranking 20 times. His teams never posted a losing season during his entire coaching tenure.[1]
Kessinger was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2003 as well as the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.[2] He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.[3] His son is Kent Kessinger, the head coach at Ottawa University.
Kessenger was the head coach of the first American football team to play in Sweden.[4] (Read more...)
- ^ Topeka Capital-Journal "Ted Kessinger retires with 219-57-1 record" February 12, 2004
- ^ Football Foundation "2010 Divisional College Football Hall of Fame Class Announced"
- ^ ESPN.com "College Football" May 11, 2010
- ^ The Victoria Advocate "Sweden's First Shot at Football a Success Despite 72-7 Defeat" by Stephaan Nastrom, Jun 20, 1985