Considering Concordia was founded in 1894, it represents a lofty accomplishment for those who have emerged as the winningest coaches in the history of their respective Bulldog athletic programs. Below is a rundown of coaches who have risen to the top of the charts and have made their mark at Concordia. Beyond the success athletically, these coaches have – or had – a significant impact upon student-athletes throughout their tenures. As of the conclusion of the 2022-23 athletic year, 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Grant Schmidt remains the winningest coach, regardless of sport, in Concordia Athletics history.
For this exercise, we looked at sports that keep win-loss totals and have a long history at Concordia with corresponding records available dating back to the beginning of the programs’ existence. Though track & field does not involve wins and losses, it’s noteworthy that Kregg Einspahr led Concordia Track & Field to two national titles and won a combined 16 conference championships between cross country and track while being named a GPAC Coach of the Year 19 times. In tennis, the top individual seasons for wins were 15 for women’s tennis in 2018-19 (David DeSimone) and 14 in 2009-10 (Amy Harms). Additionally, longtime tennis coaches Mark Lemke and Chas Krutz presided over many successful seasons.
Concordia’s winningest coaches
Baseball – Ryan Dupic (282-163-1, 9 years)
A former college pitcher at Buena Vista University, Ryan Dupic transformed Concordia Baseball upon his arrival prior to the 2015 season. Dupic became the winningest coach in baseball program history this past 2023 season while guiding the Bulldogs to a fifth national tournament appearance during his tenure. Dupic’s program is one of seven in all of the NAIA to have won 40-plus games in each of the past three seasons. The achievements since 2015 have also included a combined five GPAC championships and a 2021 trip to the NAIA World Series. The results are a byproduct of Dupic’s strong leadership, recruitment and development skills. Concordia Baseball has become nationally respected thanks to its consistent run of success.
Men’s Basketball – Grant Schmidt (445-276, 23 years)
An alum of the program, Grant Schmidt took over at his alma mater beginning with the 1989-90 season and rose to legendary status over his 23 years on the sideline. Schmidt led his hard-nosed Bulldog teams to a combined nine national tournaments, eight total conference championships (including regular season and postseason) and two district titles. Schmidt was the first coach to take the program to the national tournament while advancing to the national semifinals in 1992 and to the national championship game in 2005. The 2004-05 squad set a still-intact school record with 32 victories. Schmidt stands out as one of the greatest collegiate basketball coaches in the state of Nebraska’s history. Everyone who played for Schmidt has a story of how he lifted people up.
Women’s Basketball – Drew Olson (443-133, 17 years)
A former player under Grant Schmidt, Drew Olson took the reins of the women’s basketball program prior to the 2006-07 season and raised the bar to impressive heights. Known for his unwavering Christian faith, Olson has overseen 15 trips to the national tournament and reached the ultimate on-court goal in March of 2019 when the Bulldogs raised the NAIA Division II national championship banner. Olson has taken five separate teams to at least the national semifinals (three national title game appearances) while the 2019-20 squad was ranked No. 1 when the national tournament was canceled due to COVID-19. Olson surpassed Carl Everts as the program’s all-time winningest coach in November 2014.
Football – Courtney Meyer (70-115-1, 19 years)
Known for his common phrases and ever-optimistic attitude, Courtney Meyer headed the football program from 1990-2009 while helping hundreds of Bulldogs become better men of faith. Meyer leapt the previous head coach, Larry Oetting, atop the wins list before retiring as head coach after the 2009 season. The Bulldog alum ventured back to Seward after he had served as head coach at Concordia Mequon. The most successful season of Meyer’s tenure came in 2001 when a squad led by All-American tight end Ross Wurdeman shared the GPAC title, won 10 games and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA playoffs. That squad remains the gold standard for what current teams aspire to become. Meyer continues to serve the football program in an assistant role. His former players have nothing but praise for the longest tenured coach in Concordia Football history.
Men’s Soccer – Jason Weides (150-104-33, 15 years)
Another of the alums to return to Concordia, Jason Weides has consistently had Concordia in the top four or five of the GPAC since his first season in 2008. The former all-conference player moved past Jack Kinworthy in September 2019 for the title of winningest coach in program history. The high points have included GPAC tournament championships in 2015 and 2022. The ’22 squad went 15-3-3 overall and reached the national tournament. Meanwhile, Weides’ 2017 edition remains the program’s record holder for wins in a single season (16-3-1). Known for his cool and calm demeanor, Weides is well-respected by program alums who helped elevate Concordia Men’s Soccer along the way.
Women’s Soccer – Greg Henson (83-28-16, 6 years)
Before moving on and taking Ferris State University to the 2022 NCAA Division II Final Four, Greg Henson made Concordia Women’s Soccer a force within the GPAC. Henson posted an astounding .717 win percentage while leading the program during the 2013 through 2018 seasons. Henson’s squads secured a combined three GPAC championships and reached two national tournaments, achievements the program had never before enjoyed. Henson’s ’17 team went undefeated (9-0-1) in GPAC regular season play. Henson’s impact on the program reverberates into the present day. An outwardly intense sideline coach, Henson showed what was possible for Concordia Women’s Soccer. Each of his final five Bulldog teams won at least 13 games.
Softball – Frank Greene (293-212-1, 11 years)
A Bulldog through and through, Frank Greene assisted the softball program prior to becoming head coach beginning with the 2001 season. Greene won nearly 300 games and led the program to the NAIA regional qualifier six times. The stretch from 2005 to 2008 was particularly impressive as Greene’s teams won two GPAC regular season titles (2005 and 2008) and a GPAC tournament championship (2007). The ’05 team received induction into the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. Greene coached two separate stints before hanging it up after the 2013 season. His love for Concordia runs deep. Greene has lent his radio voice to play-by-play for Bulldog Volleyball on 104.9 Max Country and to various other sports on the Concordia Sports Network.
Volleyball – Berniece Jones (181-200, 13 years)
For a volleyball program that has played at the varsity level since 1972, Berniece Jones continues to stand as the longest tenured coach in program history. She led the Bulldogs from 1976-88 while piling up 181 career wins. Her 1981 squad won a conference championship and totaled 35 overall victories. Jones also led the 1982 team to a 32-6 mark. The ’81 volleyball team received induction into the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. Jones was assisted on the team by Eunice Goldgrabe. Both Jones and Goldgrabe have been important female figures in women’s athletics at Concordia.