Otten to no longer serve as football coach

Northwestern’s teams compiled a 105-45 record under Otten’s leadership, qualifying for the NAIA playoffs in 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2006. In 2000, his squad advanced to the national semifinals, and he was named the national coach of the year by American Football Monthly.

The Red Raiders are listed by the NAIA as the ninth most winning program since 2000. Otten led NWC to the Nebraska-Iowa Athletic Conference championship in 1996 and a share of the Great Plains Athletic Conference title in 2000. Thirty-five of his players have earned All-American recognition since 1995, and 37 have been named NAIA Scholar-Athletes.

“We greatly appreciate the contributions Orv has given to the Northwestern football program,” says Barry Brandt, athletic director. “He worked tirelessly for a program that is viewed as one of the best in the NAIA. We wish him the best as he moves into another chapter of his life.”

Brandt says a national search for Northwestern’s new head football coach will begin immediately.

“I’ve had a great time being part of the Northwestern football program,” says Otten. “I’ve enjoyed every part of it through the years.”

Otten, a 1979 Northwestern alumnus, earned all-conference and all-district honors as a middle linebacker under head coach Larry Korver, now a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame. Otten worked alongside Korver as Northwestern’s defensive coordinator from 1990 to 1994, and assumed head coaching responsibilities in 1995.

A professor of kinesiology, Otten earned master’s and doctoral degrees in exercise science and physical education from the University of Iowa. He previously served as defensive coordinator, head wrestling coach and physical education instructor at Monmouth College in Illinois. Prior to that he was a teacher/coach in the West Sioux school system in Hawarden, Iowa.