James S. Lentz

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James S. Lentz
Biographical details
Born(1927-04-05)April 5, 1927
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJuly 22, 2009(2009-07-22) (aged 82)
Brunswick, Maine, U.S.
Alma materGettysburg College (1951)
Columbia University (1957)
Playing career
Football
1947–1950Gettysburg
Wrestling
1947–1950Gettysburg
Position(s)Tackle (football)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1951Gettysburg (assistant)
1952–1955Gettysburg (freshman)
1956Gettysburg (line)
1957–1961Harvard (OG/C)
1962–1967Harvard (DC/DL)
1968–1983Bowdoin
Swimming
1952–1956?Gettysburg
Lacrosse
1957–1967Harvard (freshman)
1968Bowdoin
1969–?Bowdoin (JV)
Head coaching record
Overall55–66 (football)

James Spencer Lentz (April 5, 1927 – July 22, 2009) was an American college football coach. He was the head football coach for Bowdoin College from 1968 to 1983.

Playing career[edit]

Lentz played college football as a tackle at Gettysburg.[1][2] During a game in his freshman season he suffered a broken hand.[3] He also competed in wrestling.[4]

Coaching career[edit]

Following Lentz's graduation he served as an assistant coach in 1951 for his alma mater, Gettysburg.[2][5][6] In 1952, he was promoted to a full-time position and was the freshman coach.[2][7][8] In 1952, his freshman team finished the season undefeated.[9] In 1956, he served as the line coach. In 1957, he was hired on the inaugural staff for newly hired Harvard head coach John Yovicsin as the offensive guard and centers coach.[10][11][12] In 1962, he was promoted to defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.[13][14] In 1968, Lentz was hired as the head football coach for Bowdoin.[4][15] He served as the head coach for sixteen years and amassed an overall record of 55–66 and won ten Colby-Bates-Bowdoin Consortiums.[16][17] He resigned following the 1983 season.[16][18]

From 1952 until the late 1950s, Lentz was the swimming coach for Gettysburg.[2][8] He was also the freshman lacrosse coach for Harvard from 1957 to 1967.[4][14] He served one year as the head lacrosse coach for Bowdoin before becoming the junior varsity coach for a number of years.[4][19]

Personal life, military career, and death[edit]

From 1945 to 1947, Lentz served in the United States Army and was stationed in Austria.[9][20]

Lentz was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta.[9]

Lentz died on July 22, 2009, in Brunswick, Maine.[19][20]

Head coaching record[edit]

Football[edit]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Bowdoin Polar Bears (Maine Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1968–1970)
1968 Bowdoin 2–5
1969 Bowdoin 3–4
1970 Bowdoin 6–1
Bowdoin Polar Bears (New England Small College Athletic Conference) (1971–1983)
1971 Bowdoin 3–4
1972 Bowdoin 2–5
1973 Bowdoin 4–3
1974 Bowdoin 3–4
1975 Bowdoin 4–3
1976 Bowdoin 4–4
1977 Bowdoin 4–4
1978 Bowdoin 3–5
1979 Bowdoin 5–3
1980 Bowdoin 5–3
1981 Bowdoin 2–6
1982 Bowdoin 4–4
1983 Bowdoin 1–7
Bowdoin: 55–66
Total: 55–66

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Drexel Tech Selects All-Foe grid Team". Republican and Herald. December 12, 1950. p. 18. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "James Lentz Named New Bullet Coach". The York Dispatch. July 30, 1952. p. 17. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "Six Treated For Injuries". The Evening Sun. November 14, 1947. p. 4. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "Lentz Going To Bowdoin". The Berkshire Eagle. May 16, 1968. p. 21. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  5. ^ "Springer Will Teach Organ At Gettysburg". The Evening Sun. September 19, 1951. p. 1. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  6. ^ "Lentz Joins Staff". The Gettysburg Times. September 20, 1951. p. 25. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "Gettysburg (Continued From Page Two)". The Evening Sun. September 10, 1952. p. 8. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Interest In Sports". The Gettysburg Times. September 18, 1952. p. 2. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c "James S. Lentz". The Gettysburg Times. September 18, 1953. p. 27. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  10. ^ "Picks Grid Aids". Republican and Herald. May 7, 1957. p. 10. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  11. ^ "Harvard Staff". The Herald-Journal. May 7, 1957. p. 4. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  12. ^ "Social Happenings". The Gettysburg Times. December 23, 1959. p. 2. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  13. ^ Jenkins, Henry (December 31, 1961). "'Bama, LSU, Ole Miss Favored". Kingsport Times-News. p. 13. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "James Lentz To Address Harvard Club". The Bangor Daily News. April 21, 1967. p. 8. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  15. ^ "Lentz Named Bowdoin Coach". The Honolulu Advertiser. May 15, 1968. p. 25. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Almasi, George (January 5, 1984). "James Lentz steps down as college football coach". The Times Record. p. 1. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  17. ^ "History and Scores" (PDF). Bowdoin College. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  18. ^ "Bowdoin". Journal Tribune. January 6, 1984. p. 8. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  19. ^ a b "James Spencer Lentz". Kincer Funeral Home. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Rielly, Morgan (July 22, 2009). "James S. Lentz". Bowdoin College Obituaries. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
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