Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Mourns the Loss of Former Football Coach Bob Curtis
8/19/2013 10:12:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell University and the Department of Athletics and Recreation mourn the loss of former Bison football coach Bob Curtis, who recently passed away at the age of 78. Curtis guided the Bison for 11 years from 1975-85 and his 48 wins over that span are tied for the most in program history.
Curtis took over the Bucknell program in 1975 after compiling a 32-3 record in four years as the head coach at Franklin & Marshall. The Bison won at least four games in each of his first 10 years, and Curtis remains the only Bison to coach more than 100 games (101). His 11 years on the sideline is tied with Harry Lawrence for the most in school history. Curtis resigned in 1985 as the school's winningest coach, a mark that was later equaled by Tom Gadd.
In recent years, Curtis, a Lewisburg, Pa., resident, has remained close to Bucknell serving as a member of the strength and conditioning staff and being a regular user of the Krebs Family Fitness Center.
The 21st coach in Bucknell history, Curtis graduated in 1958 from St. Lawrence University. While at St. Lawrence, he was a two-year defensive captain and he received Little All-America Honorable Mention. Curtis went on to play three seasons in the Atlantic Coast Football League with the Westchester Bulls and was named the league's Outstanding Offensive Player in 1959.
The recipient of a master of arts degree from Columbia University in 1963, Curtis started his coaching career as football line coach and head of the track program at Riverdale (N.Y.) Prep in 1959. From 1960 to 1962, he served as line coach and as an assistant track and wrestling coach at Tenafly (N.J.) High School.
Curtis accepted his first head coaching position at Waldwick (N.J.) High School in 1963. He compiled a 19-11-2 gridiron record in five years there and was also head wrestling coach for three seasons. In 1968 he joined the Franklin & Marshall staff as freshman football coach while also assisting in track.
After three years as an assistant at Franklin & Marshall, Curtis was elevated to the head position in 1971. He took a team that had been a combined 4-12 the previous two seasons and led it to a 6-2 mark.
In 1972 and 1974 Curtis led the Diplomats to unblemished 9-0 records. He guided the squad to four consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference Southern Division Championships.
