WC Lynx Football | Harley Rollinger

Head Coaches

HARLEY ROLLINGER
1949-66

At age nineteen, LeMars native Harley Rollinger chose to put both his college education and football career on hold to enlist in the aviation cadet program amidst the fighting of World War II. A true patriot, he later flew 76 combat missions against the Germans and was eventually awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters for his combat efforts. Discharged from the Air Force in 1945, Harley then returned to college to finish his degree and graduated from Iowa State University where he was also captain of the football team in 1947 under head coach Emmett R. "Abe" Stuber.

Arriving at Webster City in the fall of 1948, Rollinger served as an assistant football coach under Robert Lamson for one season before taking over head coaching duties in 1949. For the next 18 seasons under his guidance, the Lynx dominated their opponents as they won 10 North Central Conference championships while compiling a record of 129-22-5. Furthermore, Rollinger—who also served as Webster City’s Athletic Director—guided 6 Lynx squads to undefeated seasons and his 1962 squad still ranks 2nd all-time in points scored in a season with 409.

Coach Rollinger also coached 39 All-State players during his tenure at Webster City which also included twice-named players Don Burton, Red Burnett, Eldon Reinhardt, Frank Reinhardt and Dave Brooks. Brooks, a center, along with halfback Gene Twedt and guard Carroll Johnson, also earned All-American honors while playing for Hollinger and are the only players in Lynx history to do so.

Harley left Webster City in 1967 to become the new head coach at Moline High School in Illinois and led the 1968 Maroons to a 9-0 record which, to date, is the last undefeated team in school history. Rollinger, who currently still resides in Moline, amassed a career record is 172-31-7 and not only was the 1961 Des Moines Register "Coach of the Year", but also was inducted into the Iowa High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1969.

HARLEY ROLLINGER 1949-66 At age nineteen, LeMars native Harley Rollinger chose to put both his college education and football career on hold to enlist in the aviation cadet program amidst the fighting of World War II. A true patriot, he later flew 76 combat missions against the Germans and was eventually awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters for his combat efforts. Discharged from the Air Force in 1945, Harley then returned to college to finish his degree and graduated from Iowa State University where he was also captain of the football team in 1947 under head coach Emmett R. "Abe" Stuber. Arriving at Webster City in the fall of 1948, Rollinger served as an assistant football coach under Robert Lamson for one season before taking over head coaching duties in 1949. For the next 18 seasons under his guidance, the Lynx dominated their opponents as they won 10 North Central Conference championships while compiling a record of 129-22-5. Furthermore, Rollinger—who also served as Webster City’s Athletic Director—guided 6 Lynx squads to undefeated seasons and his 1962 squad still ranks 2nd all-time in points scored in a season with 409. Coach Rollinger also coached 39 All-State players during his tenure at Webster City which also included twice-named players Don Burton, Red Burnett, Eldon Reinhardt, Frank Reinhardt and Dave Brooks. Brooks, a center, along with halfback Gene Twedt and guard Carroll Johnson, also earned All-American honors while playing for Hollinger and are the only players in Lynx history to do so. Harley left Webster City in 1967 to become the new head coach at Moline High School in Illinois and led the 1968 Maroons to a 9-0 record which, to date, is the last undefeated team in school history. Rollinger, who currently still resides in Moline, amassed a career record is 172-31-7 and not only was the 1961 Des Moines Register "Coach of the Year", but also was inducted into the Iowa High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1969.