The Malone Pioneers program was a college football team that represented Malone University. The team had 7 head coaches since its first recorded football game in 1993 until the program was discontinued after the 2018 season. The final head coach was Fred Thomas who took the position beginning with the 2015 season after serving as the assistant coach for the program in 2014. The university announced in February 2019 that it had voted to cancel the program after 26 seasons as a cost-cutting measure.[1]
Hanson was promoted to become the fourth head coach for Malone. He held that position for four seasons, from 2002[7] until 2005, when he resigned for personal reasons.[8] His career coaching record at Malone was 13 wins, 27 losses, and 0 ties.[9] This ranks him third at Malone in total wins and fourth at Malone in winning percentage.[10] His conference record in the Mid-States Football Association was 5 wins and 21 losses during his tenure.[11]
Hanson's inaugural 2002 season started out with three consecutive wins[12] and a national ranking [13] but was answered with 3 consecutive losses. The team would win one more before finishing 2002 with a 4-6 record. Despite the losing record, Malone outscored their opponents 245 to 196.[14]
Before taking an assistant coach position at Olivet Nazarene University, Hanson played football for the school as an undergraduate while working on his bachelor's degree.[15]
Personal life
After leaving coaching, Hanson took a position as the Administrative Pastor at Canton First Church of the Nazarene, where he now serves as lead pastor. Hanson earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Olivet Nazarene University and also holds two master's degrees in religion and teaching.[16] Hanson has also continued to be involved in the sport of American football through camps and youth involvement.[17]
Notes
^Although the first Rose Bowl Game was played in 1902, it has been continuously played since the 1916 game, and is recognized as the oldest bowl game by the NCAA. "—" indicates any season prior to 1916 when postseason games were not played.[2]
^A running total of the number of head coaches, with coaches who served separate tenures being counted only once. Interim head coaches are represented with "Int" and are not counted in the running total. "—" indicates the team played but either without a coach or no coach is on record. "X" indicates an interim year without play.
^Overtime rules in college football were introduced in 1996, making ties impossible in the period since.[3]
^When computing the win–loss percentage, a tie counts as half a win and half a loss.[4]
^National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (2011). Bowl/All-Star Game Records(PDF). Indianapolis, Indiana: NCAA. pp. 5–10. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
^Finder, Chuck (September 6, 1987). "Big plays help Paterno to 200th". The New York Times. New York City. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
^Akron Beacon Journal "BIG GAME IS EVEN BIGGER THIS TIME FOR PIONEERS, CAVALIERS, EACH IS UNBEATEN HEADING INTO SATURDAY'S SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TWO NATIONALLY RANKED STARK COUNTY TEAMS" October 3, 2002