West Virginia and Regional History Center
Don Nehlen, West Virginia University Head Football Coach, Papers
Nehlen, Don
A&M 4312
Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
Previous Archival Resource Key
/repositories/2/resources/6383
1.7 Linear Feet
1 ft. 7 1/2 in. (3 document cases, 2 1/2 in. each); (1 index card box, 12 in.)
4.29 Gigabytes
25 files, formats include .tif, .iso, and .rw2
1988-2021, undated
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
English
Conditions Governing Access
No special access restriction applies.
Researchers may access born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.
Biographical / Historical
Don Nehlen was born January 1, 1936 in Mansfield, Ohio. He was a star athlete in high school and at Bowling Green State University. After college, Nehlen began coaching at Canton area high schools, moving on to assistant coach positions in college football before taking the head coaching job at Bowling Green in 1968 where he compiled a 53-35-4 record over nine years. In 1977, Bo Schembechler hired him as the quarterbacks coach at the University of Michigan. Two years later, West Virginia University named Don Nehlen as the Mountaineers' head coach. Over his 21 year career at WVU, 1980 to 2000, Don Nehlen compiled a 149-93-4 record which includes two perfect regular season records. He retired before the 2001 season with career record of 202 wins, at the time the 17th winningest college football coach in the history of the game. Don Nehlen was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Don Nehlen, West Virginia University Head Football Coach, Papers, A&M 4312, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Content Description
Papers of Donald Nehlen, Hall of Fame head football coach for the West Virginia University Mountaineers, 1980-2000. The collection includes correspondence, memorabilia, ephemera and the 2000 season Mountaineer offense playbook. There are also several reproductions, both digital and prints, of photographs from several events celebrating his career, and images of awards and honors presented to Coach Nehlen for his contribution to college football.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.
West Virginia University - Football.
Football coaches
Nehlen, Don
Series 1. Photographs (Box 1)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496141988-20211Scope and ContentsThis series consists of photographs of awards given to Coach Nehlen, photos from the 1988 Walter Camp Awards, and Coach Nehlen's 2001 Tribute party among others.
Awards - Box 1 - Folder 1
1988 Walter Camp Awards - Box 1 - Folders 2-6
2001 Tribute party - Box 1 - Folders 7-22
"House That Don Built" collage - Box 1 - Folder 23
Note from Gaston Caperton - Box 1 - Folder 24
Photos of newspaper clippings - Box 1 - Folder 25
Photos of Don Nehlen's watch and ring collection - Box 1 - Folder 26
All of these photos have been digitized for preservation. For digital versions see Series 8. Digital Files.
Photos of AwardsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496351988-202111Walter Camp Awards Event, (contains photos of Don Nehlen, Alan Page, Y.A. Tittle, Andy Robustelli, Ernest C. Williams, Troy Aikman, and Mark Messner among other famous football players) photos 1-4 of 20Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/149636198812Walter Camp Awards Event, (contains photos of Mark Messner, Troy Aikman, Deion Sanders, and Don Nehlen among other famous football players) photos 5-8 of 20Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/149637198813Walter Camp Awards Event, (contains photos of Barry Sanders, Don Nehlen, and Ernest C. Williams among others) photos 9-12 of 20Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/149638198814Walter Camp Awards Event, (contains photos of Ernest C. Williams, Don Nehlen, Richard DeMayo, Y.A. Tittle, Barry Sanders, Alan Page, Andy Robustelli, and Deion Sanders among others) photos 13-16 of 20Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/149639198815Walter Camp Awards Event, (contains photos of Don Nehlen, Y.A. Tittle, Barry Sanders, Andy Robustelli, Alan Page, Troy Aikman, Deion Sanders, and Mark Messner among other famous football players) photos 17-20 of 20Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/149640198816"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Don Nehlen, Gaston Caperton, Glen Hiner, and Gene Budig among others) photos 1-5 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496412001 March 3017"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Don Nehlen, Gene Budig, Glen Hiner, Gregg Bronk, Gary White, James Harless, and Lawson Hamilton) photos 6-10 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496422001 March 3018"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Don Nehlen, Richard Adams, Gary White, Lawson Hamilton, and James Harless) photos 11-15 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496432001 March 3019"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Don Nehlen, Lawson Hamilton, John Curry, Gaston Caperton, Mike Wilcox, Johnny Fahlgren, Al Johnson, Glen Hiner, Smoot Fahlgren, and Gene Budig) photos 16-20 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496442001 March 30110"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Don Nehlen, Smoot Fahlgren, Glen Hiner, and Johnny Fahlgren among others) photos 21-25 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496452001 March 30111"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of John Curry, Don Nehlen, Richard Adams, Jeff Hostetler, Smoot Fahlgren, and Johnny Fahlgren among others) photos 26-30 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496462001 March 30112"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Smoot Fahlgren, Don Nehlen, Johnny Fahlgren Jeff Hostetler, Dan Nehlen, and Don Poluszek among others) photos 31-35 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496472001 March 30113"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Mike Wilcox, Don Nehlen, Dwight Wallace, and Gregg Bronk among others) photos 36-40 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496482001 March 30114"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Don Nehlen, Gregg Bronk, Gaston Caperton, and Glen Hiner) photos 41-45 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496492001 March 30115"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Smoot Fahlgren, Gaston Caperton, Don Nehlen, Johnny Fahlgren, Al Johnson, and Glen Hiner among others) photos 46-50 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496502001 March 30116"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Don Nehlen, Dwight Wallace, Gaston Caperton, James Harless, Hank Barnette, Smoot Fahlgren, and Glen Hiner) photos 51-55 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496512001 March 30117"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Glen Hiner, Gaston Caperton, Hank Barnette, Jeff Hostetler, Dwight Wallace, John Curry, and Russell Issacs among others) photos 56-60 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496522001 March 30118"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Don Nehlen, Russell Issacs, and Hank Barnette among others) photos 61-65 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496532001 March 30119"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Don Nehlen, Gaston Caperton, Smoot Fahlgren, and Glen Hiner among others) photos 66-70 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496542001 March 30120"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Smoot Fahlgren, Don Nehlen, Glen Hiner, Marty Becker, and Mike Wilcox among others) photos 71-75 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496552001 March 30121"Coach Don Nehlen Tribute - 21 Club," (includes photos of Glen Hiner, Don Nehlen, Gaston Caperton, and Hank Barnette among others) photos 76-80 of 80Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496562001 March 30122"The House That Don Built," collageArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496572010 September 29123Note from former Governor Gaston CapertonArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496581996 July 11124Photographs of Newspaper clippingsArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/149659ca. 2000s125Photographs of Don Nehlen's watch and ring collectionArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/149660undated126Series 2. Printed Material (Box 2)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496232000-2005 December 62Scope and ContentsSeries consists of the playbook for the 2000 West Virginia University football team. Also includes material related to the 48th Annual National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame's Awards Dinner.
Box 2 - Folders 1-15
WVU Football Playbook - Offense, pgs 1-50Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150081200021WVU Football Playbook - Offense, pgs 51-100Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150082200022WVU Football Playbook - Offense, pgs 101-150Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150083200023WVU Football Playbook - Offense, pgs 151-201Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150084200024WVU Football Playbook - Offense, pgs 202-250Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150085200025WVU Football Playbook - Offense, pgs 251-277Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150086200026WVU Football Playbook - Defense, pgs 1-51Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150087200027WVU Football Playbook - Defense, pgs 52-100Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150088200028WVU Football Playbook - Defense, pgs 101-151Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150089200029WVU Football Playbook - Defense, pgs 152-201Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1500902000210WVU Football Playbook - Defense, pgs 202-225Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1500912000211College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement passesArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1500922006 August 10-12212National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame 48th Annual Awards Dinner seating listArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1500932005 December 6213National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame 48th Annual Awards Dinner programArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1500942005 December 6214Newspaper clipping, "Nehlenisms"Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150095undated215Series 3. Biographical (Box 3)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496242019 July 283Scope and ContentsSeries contains a Wikipedia article detailing the life of Don Nehlen.
Box 3 - Folder 1
Wikipedia entry for Don NehlenArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1500962019 July 2831Series 4. Correspondence (Box 3)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/14962520013Scope and ContentsCorrespondence series includes retirement letters sent to Don Nehlen from various NCAA and NFL coaches and team owners, such as Pete Carroll, Bill Cowher, and Lou Holtz, among others. Also includes messages written for Coach Nehlen from his retirement party guestbook.
Box 3 - Folders 2-8
Letters, re: Retirement (1 of 2)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150097200132Letters, re: Retirement (2 of 2)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150098200133Retirement guestbook with notes, pgs 1-20 (Senator John Hunter pg. 11)Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150099200134Retirement guestbook with notes, pgs 21-40Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150100200135Retirement guestbook with notes, pgs 41-60Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150101200136Retirement guestbook with notes, pgs 61-80Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150102200137Retirement guestbook with notes, pgs 81-104Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150103200138Series 5. Writings (Box 3)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/149626undated3Scope and ContentsComprised of notes/outlines written by Don Nehlen for various speeches regarding leadership, success, the importance of education, and religion, among other topics.
Box 3 - Folder 9
Notes/Outlines for speechesArchival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/150104undated39Series 6. Digital MaterialsArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1496322005 December 63Scope and ContentsContains one DVD from the 48th Annual National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame's Awards Dinner (box 3, folder 10); four awards that were digitized and returned to Nehlen; Photographs of Don and Cath Nehlen and Championship Rings, Watches, and Award; and Photographs of Framed Newspaper, Photograph, Signed Longhorn Football, and Letter.
Conditions Governing AccessResearchers may access born digital materials by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department at https://westvirginia.libanswers.com/wvrhc.
48th Annual National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame Awards Dinner DVDArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/1501052005 December 6310Series 7. Artifact (Box 4)Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/149633undated4Scope and ContentsThe artifacts series contains one miniature football with one quarter panel depicting Jeff Hostetler and his signature.
Miniature Jeff Hostetler footballArchival Resource KeyPrevious Archival Resource Key/repositories/2/archival_objects/149662undated41