When Jim Chapman became Case Western Reserve's head football coach in 1982, the Spartans had not only suffered losing seasons in 10 of the previous 11 years—they also hadn't managed a single win in the last 22 games.
But as the coach of an area high school team that won five conference championships during the 1970s, Chapman wasn't the least bit daunted—not even after his new team dropped its opener at Oberlin by 13 points.
His confidence proved well-placed: In Chapman's third year the Spartans went 11-0, achieving the program's first undefeated season in 46 years.
Last month Chapman, 84, died peacefully in North Carolina.