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This article was originally published here in 2011

William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

(SOUTH BEND, INDIANA)(July 11, 2011)--Former LaSalle Football Coach Bill Manlove (photo) will be heading to South Bend, Indiana, this week for the College Football Hall of Fame ceremonies being held July 15-16. He is one of four coaches that will be enshrined. 

Knowledgable South Jersey football fans will remember Manlove as the head football coach at Gloucester High School (Gloucester City, NJ) in the 1960s. A graduate of Temple University, Manlove taught math at GHS. Along with coaching football, he also coached Lions freshman basketball. 

Former Gloucester City Mayor Bob Bevan, who Manlove coached, said, ”I played for Bill in my junior and senior year (1961, 1962). We had a losing record in his rookie year as Head Coach and had a 6-2-1 record in our senior year. He was more of a strategist in his first year and became more of a motivator during his second year. He became successful over the next several years in both high school and as a college coach. He was a gentleman and always treated his players with respect.”

Echoing those remarks, 1961 GHS alumni Bill Tourtual added, “Bill Manlove was an amazing coach, talent scout, and person. I will always treasure the times the late Larry Pusey, and I spent together under the coaching of Bill Manlove.   

John “Rocky” Gianvito, GHS Class of 57, “I didn't have the opportunity to play for Bill Manlove.  He began his coaching career at Gloucester High School after I graduated.  My only connection with Bill Manlove was as an observer.  I followed his high school and college coaching careers (I particularly remember the glorious Billy "White Shoes" days).

“He was not only an outstanding football coach but also a true gentleman.  I later had the opportunity to meet with him at Widener University while accompanying my son on college visitations.  At that time, he held the dual role of Athletic Director and coach.  He was as accommodating as always, taking time to speak with my son about the various opportunities available at Widener. Enshrinement into the College Football Hall of Fame is a tremendous accomplishment.  Bill Manlove is most deserving of that honor", said Gianvito. 

Following his stint at Gloucester High School, Manlove moved on to coach at several area colleges.  He was the head man at Widener University, Delaware Valley College, and La Salle University during his illustrious coaching career.  Manlove became head coach at Widener when the school was still known as Pennsylvania Military College (the school became Widener University in 1972).  Bill coached 23 seasons at Widener and guided the team to two NCAA Division III championships.  As the winningest coach in school history, Manlove coached the Pride to 21 consecutive winning seasons from 1970-1990.  He finished with a 182-53-1 record at Widener.  Following a spectacular career with the Pride, Bill decided to pursue a new challenge at Delaware Valley College in 1992.  After concluding his time at Delaware Valley in 1995, he would move on to head the La Salle University football program in 1997.  After retiring as head coach in 2001, Bill returned to Delaware Valley College as an assistant coach in 2002.  With Manlove's presence on the sidelines, Delaware Valley's success has continued as they have won five MAC championships and made four trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs over the last seven years.  Bill continues to serve as an assistant/consultant to head coach Jim Clements at Delaware Valley.

Besides Manlove, the other coaches to be inducted include:

• Barry Alvarez - Wisconsin (1990-2005); 118-73-4 (.615)
• Mike Kelly - Dayton (1981-2007); 246-54-1 (.819) 
• Gene Stallings- Texas A&M (1965-71), Alabama (1990-96); 89-70-1 (.559)
• Manlove - Widener (1969-91), Delaware Valley (1992-95), La Salle (1997-2001); 212-211-1 (.655)

PLAYERS

 ·DENNIS BYRD* - North Carolina State, Defensive Tackle (1965-67)

 ·RONNIE CAVENESS - Arkansas, Center (1962-64)

·RAY CHILDRESS - Texas A&M, Defensive Lineman (1981-84)

·DEXTER COAKLEY - Appalachian State, Linebacker (1993-96)

·RANDY CROSS - UCLA, Offensive Guard (1973-75)

·SAM CUNNINGHAM - Southern California, Running Back (1970-72)

·MIKE FAVOR - North Dakota State, Center (1985-88)

·CHARLES HALEY - James Madison, Linebacker (1982-85)

·MARK HERRMANN - Purdue, Quarterback (1977-80)

·CLARKSTON HINES - Duke, Wide Receiver (1986-89)

·DESMOND HOWARD - Michigan, Wide Receiver (1989-91)

·MICKEY KOBROSKY* - Trinity (CT), Back (1933-36)

·CHET MOELLER - Navy, Defensive Back (1973-75)

·JERRY STOVALL - LSU, Halfback (1960-62)

·PAT TILLMAN* - Arizona State, Linebacker (1994-97)

·ALFRED WILLIAMS - Colorado, Linebacker (1987-90)

For more information on Bill Manlove and his enshrinement into the Hall of Fame, visit www.enshrinementfestival.org or call 574-235-5714.

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From Wikipedia/copied August 13, 2023

William B. Manlove Jr. (born February 5, 1933) is a former American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Widener University from 1969 to 1991, at Delaware Valley College from 1992 to 1995, and at La Salle University from 1997 to 2001, compiling a career college football coaching record of 212–111–1. Manlove led Widener to two NCAA Division III Football Championships in 1977 and 1981. He was president of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) in 1991. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Early life

Manlove was born in Barrington, New Jersey, and graduated from Haddon Heights High School in 1951. After serving in the United States Army, he received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1958 and a Master's degree in 1960 from Temple University.

Coaching career

Manlove was an assistant coach at Gloucester City Junior-Senior High School in Gloucester City, New Jersey from 1957 to 1959 and was head coach from 1960 to 1965. He was head coach at Oakcrest High School from 1965 to 1966. In 1967 and 1968, he was an assistant coach at Lafayette College.

In 1969 Manlove began as head coach at Widener University, then called PMC Colleges. He had a 2–7 record the first season, but never had a losing season again at Widener. He accumulated a 182–53–1 record in 22 seasons and won two Division III national titles and 10 Middle Atlantic Conference titles. Manlove was named Division III Coach of the Year in 1977.

In 2006 and 2007 he coached the U.S. team in the Aztec Bowl, winning both games. In 2009 he was inducted into The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.