Lackner Achieves Legendary Status as Player, Coach
By Bruce Gerson
Rich Lackner officially takes his place among Carnegie Mellon royalty this weekend.
The winningest head football coach in Carnegie Mellon history with a record of 221-120-2, Lackner will be among the 18 inaugural inductees into CMU’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The class was selected by a 12-member committee, which included alumni, coaches, administrators, a member of the university’s board of trustees, a faculty member and student.
“To be honored by my peers by being selected into the Hall of Fame is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive,” said Lackner, who has garnered many honors and awards during his 34-year tenure as head coach. “I’ve spent my entire career at CMU, so to be recognized in this way is really very gratifying.”
Lackner has made an impact on CMU football since arriving in 1975 from nearby Mt. Lebanon High School. The star Tartan linebacker was a four-year starter and team co-captain at CMU. He was a three-time All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) pick and the PAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1976.
A history major, the two-time Academic All-American led the Tartans to a four-year record of 28-7-1, two conference championships and an NCAA playoff berth in 1978, the first post-season appearance for the Tartans since the 1939 Sugar Bowl.
“I see our players mature into young men, graduate, get incredible jobs and contribute to society in so many ways. Frankly, some of them are changing the world.”
Despite his prowess on the gridiron, Lackner credits his coaching record more than his playing days for his Hall of Fame induction.
“Coach [Chuck] Klausing used to say as a player I was small, but slow,” he said jokingly.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in 1979, Lackner joined Klausing’s assistant coaching staff. He was named head coach when Klausing left in 1986. Since then he has led the Tartans to 12 conference titles and two NCAA playoff selections. In 2006, he guided CMU to a 10-0 mark and a playoff win over Millsaps College, marking the Tartans’ most wins (11) in a single season. He is fourth among active NCAA Division III head coaches in total career wins.
“I always felt I had a great job here,” said Lackner, who recently was recognized for his 40 years of service to CMU at the Andy Awards. “My definition of a great job is when you walk on the field with your team on Saturday, you have a chance to win. I admire the administration for its commitment toward the athletic program.”
In addition to preparing his team for competition — he and his staff put in nearly 80 hours a week during the season — Lackner’s biggest challenge is recruiting student-athletes with the academic and athletic abilities necessary to succeed at CMU.
“I’ve loved what I’ve done here. I love the people I work with and I love this university.”
“Our recruiting has expanded from primarily a local and regional effort to a national recruiting plan. Our summers are incredibly busy attending camps for high school players from Boston to California. We probably have between 400 and 500 recruits in our system right now who have the smarts and talent to play at CMU,” he said.
After 34 years at the helm, Lackner said he still enjoys coming to work every day and teaching football.
“Working with the players and my coaching staff is very rewarding,” he said. “Being able to work with young men between 18 and 22 years of age who are so passionate about the game and their studies is a lot of fun.
“Football builds character and teaches things you don’t necessarily learn in the classroom. I see our players mature into young men, graduate, get incredible jobs and contribute to society in so many ways. Frankly, some of them are changing the world.”
As a football coach, Lackner’s tenure at one school is atypical. He never pursued other opportunities, and he has no regrets.
“I’ve loved what I’ve done here. I love the people I work with and I love this university,” he said.
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