By WJBC Staff
SEWANEE, Tenn. – Illinois Wesleyan assistant football coach Travis Rundle has been named the new head football coach at Sewanee University, a Division III school in Tennessee.
“My family and I would like to thank University of the South Vice-Chancellor John McCardell and Mark Webb for this opportunity,” said Rundle. “We are honored to be a part of Sewanee with its strong academic reputation and historically rich football program.”
Rundle served as the defensive coordinator and head strength and conditioning coach for the past six seasons at NCAA Division III institution Illinois Wesleyan University.
“Travis was selected from a truly outstanding pool of finalists to become our next head football coach,” said Webb. “In addition to his highly successful coaching experience at Illinois Wesleyan, he distinguished himself with his clear vision for our program and his abiding commitment to Division III athletics. We look forward to the great things he will accomplish leading the Tigers.”
During Rundle’s tenure, Illinois Wesleyan was among the nation’s best in scoring, rushing, passing, and total defense. Last season, the Titans ranked 35th or better nationally in eight defensive categories. That included being the top-ranked program in total defense and fourth-down defense in 2016.
In 2015, Rundle helped guide the Titans to top-33 rankings in 10 national statistical categories. Under Rundle’s leadership, two Illinois Wesleyan student-athletes earned AFCA First-Team All-American honors at defensive end while one Titan earned AFCA Third-Team All-American accolades at cornerback.
As a team, Illinois Wesleyan earned NCAA playoff bids in 2011 and 2013 while 26 defensive players earned All-CCIW awards.
Prior to his time at Wesleyan, Rundle served as a defensive coach at Penn State University from 2004-2010.
Rundle graduated in 2002 from Albion College (Mich.), where he was a four-year letterman and a member of three Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship teams. An All-MIAA quarterback for two seasons, Rundle set a number of single season passing records that still stand, including records for completions and attempts.
After graduating, he remained at Albion as an assistant coach for a season, helping with the linebackers and with recruiting, before becoming an assistant at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California.
Rundle and his wife, Sarah, are the parents of two sons (Tyler and Grant) and a daughter (Rachel).
