MARIETTA, Ohio - Former Shippensburg University football coach Gene Epley, who guided the Red Raiders from 1972-75 and posted an 18-22-1 record during his tenure, passed away at his home Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was 67.
Epley, a native of Midland and a 1965 graduate of IUP, was the head coach to several SU hall of famers, including
Rick Diggs,
Averell Harris,
Al Seagraves and
Tony Winter. He took the job at Shippensburg as a 30-year-old and in two years, turned the team from a two-win squad to a seven-win squad in 1974. Epley also had the distinction of coaching his brother, Don, who thrived as a defensive tackle during his four-year career.
In 1976, Epley departed to become the defensive coordinator at the University of Virginia. He later served as an assistant coach at West Point and William & Mary before his stint as a head coach at
Marietta College.
His obituary is posted at the above link.
