Coaches, Players, Fans Honor Coach Kidwell
April 13, 1997, article one

Former Fostoria High School Redmen football coach Dick Kidwell enjoyed enormous success in his 20 years of coaching here.

A record of 174 wins, 50 losses and 3 ties. Twelve Great Lakes League Championships. Seven undefeated regular seasons. Eleven playoff appearances. That’s success.

Add three state semi-finalist teams, two state runner-ups and, of course, two state championships in 1991 and 1996. And that’s success, too.

But when over 150 players, assistant coaches and fans gathered at Weber Hall last Saturday night, April 5, to recall Coach Kidwell’s achievements, the talk wasn’t so much about the victories on the field. It was about the admiration, respect and personal regard in which he is held by the people who have played for him and worked with him over two decades at FHS.

Fostoria Mayor Jim Bailey, who once coached and taught with Coach Kidwell, emceed the evening’s program.

“Dick Kidwell taught us how to take two and two and make five,” said Mr. Bailey. “Some people can take two and two and make three. A pretty good hard working average person can take two and two and make four.

“But Dick has always been able to take the parts and come up with a sum that was bigger than the parts. I think that’s because he cares so much and he works so hard and he’s so committed to excellence.”

Tom Grine, who will take over the coaching reins next season was the first of over a dozen speakers who tole stories about and expressed their feeling for the man who has made the name Fostoria Redmen synonymous with excellence in high school football.

“I’m someone who’s experienced what Dick Kidwell and his family have brought to this community over the last 20 years,” said Coach Grine..”...I think this is one group of people that share a common bond and a common experience. I think that’s a direct result of the time and effort and dedication that Dick and (Coach Kidwell’s wife) Dixie and their family have put in ... I just thank the Lord every day for the opportunity I’ve had for the last 11 years to coach in this community and to coach under Dick Kidwell.”

Dave Danhoff was an FHS assistant coach for the first seven years of the Kidwell regime.

“We’re looking at a legend here. We’re looking at a guy who has given his heart, his soul, his family and everything that h has to the city of Fostoria and the Fostoria City Schools. You talk about the Woody Hays of Ohio high school football and you’re talking about Dick Kidwell. You’re talking a man who will be inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Hall of Fame without a doubt. And I feel very proud of that great tradition.”

Dave also mentioned how instrumental Dick Kidwell was to his love of boating.

Champ Henson played for Coach Kidwell at Asheville Teays Valley HS and went on to play at Ohio State and in the National Football League.

“I played for Bud Grant of the Minnesota Vikings. I played for John McKay. I played for Paul Brown his last season. I played Woody Hays and I played for Dick Kidwell....None of these coaches did more to help lay the groundwork for me than Coach Kidwell.”

Champ also thanked the coach for teaching him how to count in practice one day.

Joe Johnson was unquestionably one of the finest football players ever to wear the Red and Black.

“In terms of who Coach is, he’s a big part of who I am and he’ll always be a big part...in 1977 or ‘78 I was just a skinny 150 pound individual. I think Coach saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. He pushed me. He made me believe in myself. He made me believe in the abilities I had. It’s very special to find a person who can do that.”

He also said that it was Dick and Dixie Kidwell who encouraged him to attend Notre Dame even though others thought the academics might be too difficult.

One of the evening’s highlights was an announcement by long-time team physician Dr. James Murray.

“In recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of Dick Kidwell,” said Dr. Murray, “in the tough arena of coaching football in the highly competitive state of Ohio, and the resultant recognition to the community of Fostoria for the past 20 years, I am very proud and honored to announce the establishment of a scholarship program in his name.”

The Dick Kidwell Scholarship Fund was established by a committee made up of Dr. Murray, Robert Fast, Don Miller, Jim Bailey and Gordon Schutt. Applications for a Kidwell Scholarship must be 1) a two year FHS varsity football player; 2) an FHS senior or graduate; 3) not more than 22 years old; 4) a resident of the school district; and 5) a US citizen or resident alien.

Merit standards for the award include attitude and effort on the football field, leadership and participation in community and extracurricular school activities, academic performance (GPA, SAT, ACT) and other factors such as need. The first scholarships totaling $5,000 will be awarded in May.

Bob Feisel has been the team equipment manager since before Coach Kidwell’s arrival.

“He has taught many people many things. He has taught me how to work with kids. For that I thank him.”

Naturally, the coach himself was the last to take his turn at the podium to sum up 20 years of Redmen football.

“What a fabulous 20 years it has been,” said Coach Kidwell. “I appreciate all the support I’ve had. I’ve had outstanding coaches. Teaching skills is important, but it’s more important to teach young men to have confidence in themselves.”

He went on to say he especially appreciated the support of his wife, Dixie, and that he always tried to put his family first and that when it came to coaching, he always tried to put the players first.

“I’ll miss coaching,” he concluded, “but I have many great memories.”

Few coaches ever experience the success Dick Kidwell has enjoyed in the win-loss department, but most of the speakers didn’t talk about all the victories. They spoke of a different sort of success Coach Kidwell has achieved.

Joe Johnson put it well. “Success is helping someone be the best they can be.”

Other speakers included trainer John Tinsman, Teays Valley assistant coach Roger Patterson, former player Clayton Moore, brother Tim Kidwell, former player Jamie Clay, assistant coach Randy Richardson, son and former player Derek Kidwell and former player Damon Moore.

The Dick Kidwell Record

1961 graduate of Columbus Mifflin HS; 1965 graduated Wilmington College; 1965-68 assistant coach Wilmington HS; 1968-76 head coach Asheville Teays HS; 1977-96 head coach FHS.

Overall record 214-94-4; FHS record 174-50-3; 12 GLL titles; 7 undefeated regular seasons (1979, ‘80, ‘83, ‘89, ‘91, ‘92, ‘93); 11 playoff appearances; state semi-finalists 1979, ‘86, ‘90; state runners-up 1989; ‘92; state champs 1991 & 1996; UPI AA Coach of the Year 1979, 1991; NW District Coach of the Year 1983,1989, 1996; Div. ll Coach of the Year 1989, 1996; North squad coach, Ohio North-South game 1987, 1990; Three-time Head coach, Coaches NW Ohio All-Star Game.