Gridiron motivation and teamwork propelled a career

Ron Vanderlinden ’78 credits two legendary coaches with putting him on the career track in college football.

“I had a very positive experience playing high school football at Dearborn Divine Child for coach Bill McCartney, winning three league titles and being rated twice as state champions,” he said. “When I entered Albion College, my initial career goal was to earn a degree in education, preparing for a career as a teacher and coach.”

However, Vanderlinden’s career goals and path changed during his years at Albion College under coach Frank Joranko’s leadership. Albion won two consecutive MIAA Championships in 1976-77, propelling Briton Defensive Coordinator Steve Beckholt to be hired at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). That led Vanderlinden, after graduation, to move on to BGSU as a graduate assistant football coach. 

After Former Divine Child coach Bill McCartney was hired by legendary Michigan Coach Bo Schembechler, Ron was hired as graduate assistant coach at The University of Michigan. During his 42-year career in college football, Vanderlinden worked with some of the nation’s top coaches and football programs. His career included the University of Michigan, the University of Colorado, Northwestern University, the University of Maryland (his one head coach position), Penn State University, and the United States Air Force Academy.

Vanderlinden’s career accomplishments included a national championship, nine conference championships, and two Commander-In-Chief Championships. Most notably, he helped the Colorado Buffaloes emerge from the Big 8 basement to a national championship and three conference championships. 

He followed that achievement by helping Northwestern reverse a 23-year string of losing seasons into two consecutive Big 10 titles. During his career, he worked with players who earned a multitude of honors and went on to careers in the NFL. In 2008 Vanderlinden also authored a book, “Football’s Eagle & Stack Defenses.”

“I was very fortunate to have played with and learned from many talented, hardworking, team-first players at both Divine Child High School and Albion College,” Vanderlinden said. “As I look back at my coaching career, I have been blessed to have been mentored by and coached alongside outstanding college coaches, three of which are in the College Football Hall of Fame.”

Albion College’s great first impression

Vanderlinden’s high school coach (McCartney) spent his first decade of coaching in southeastern Michigan. McCartney was very familiar with Joranko (Albion’s football coach) in addition to Albion’s strong academic reputation. McCartney encouraged Vanderlinden to visit Albion during his senior year.

“The campus was beautiful, even on a winter day,” Vanderlinden recalled. “During our visit to campus the Albion coaching staff walked myself and other recruits around campus and introduced us to faculty members and several students that we encountered. Everyone we met was friendly and very genuine. A key part of the visit was the opportunity to talk with current members of the football team.” 

“They were very optimistic about the coaching staff and the future of the program going forward,” he continued. “Albion College, like my high school, was smaller in stature, which was appealing. After my visit, I could see myself fitting in at Albion College.”

What followed was a collegiate career that included seven varsity letters in baseball and football. Playing center for the “Wrecking Crew,” Vanderlinden was part of two teams that were undefeated in league play, including the MIAA’s first football team to reach the NCAA Division III championship playoffs. Vanderlinden himself was named an All-Conference athlete twice, and is a member of Albion’s Hall of Fame. 

A physical education major, Vanderlinden recalls influential professors from across campus, including Nancy Held, (education professor emerita), Eugene Miller (English professor emeritus), and Barbara Keyes (psychology professor emerita), along with physical education professors Ike Isaac ’48, Frank Joranko ‘51, Dave Egnatuk ‘71, Mike Turner ‘69, and Tim Williams.

Joranko’s influence, however, stands out. “He had a spirit that was demanding, exacting, yet also gentlemanly and calming,” Vanderlinden said. “Most often we knew coach Joranko was right when he corrected us on the field. As a team, we all respected coach Joranko and his staff, and wanted to not let the coaches, or the team down. My Albion College football experiences had a lot to do with my desire to become a coach, and it helped develop my coaching philosophy.”

Vanderlinden retired from The Air Force Academy in 2020. He was honored with the 2024 Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Football Coaches Association.

There were an estimated 81,000 collegiate football players in 2023. Vanderlinden thinks he knows why.

“Football is the ultimate team sport. Beyond the skills of throwing, catching, blocking, tackling, and strategy, football teaches players that they need each other,” he said. “It takes all 11 players on any given play to be successful, if the team is going to be successful.”