Jim Dennison

James Leo Dennison (February 12, 1938 – January 4, 2026) was an American college football and baseball coach and college athletics administrator. From 1994 to 2012, he served as the head football coach at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. From 1973 to 1985, he was the head football coach at the University of Akron. He was also the head baseball coach at Akron in 1966. He served as the athletic director at Akron (1986–1993) and Walsh (1993–2007). Dennison played college football and college baseball at the College of Wooster, from which he graduated in 1960.

Early life and education James Leo Dennison The Copley Indians proceeded to go on what the Akron Beacon Journal referred to as a "warpath", going undefeated 9–0 on the season. He was named the Suburban League Coach of the Year for his efforts with the team.

University of Akron (1965–1993) Dennison was hired as an assistant football coach in 1965 for the Akron Zips, focusing on the offensive backfield. During his time with Akron, Dennison had a good working relationship with Gordon K. Larson, the head coach of the football team and athletics director. This led to his promotion in 1969 to assistant head coach, working directly with Larson. In 1966, Dennison was named the head coach of the baseball team. He boasted a 4–12 record with the team. Akron baseball star Jim DiLauro was hired the following season.

Gordon Larson resigned from the head football coach position following the 1972 season. Dennison was hired as his replacement, just before the team would tackle "the toughest schedule in school history" as described by journalist Bob Nold.

In the midst of Akron moving up a division to Division I-AA, Dennison was relieved of the head coach position in 1985 to make room for ex-Notre Dame head coach Gerry Faust. Dennison was surprised by the decision and, in order to stay at the University of Akron, was forced to take an associate athletic director position. This coaching change was controversial, resulting in public outcry among fans. 218 people called the Akron Beacon Journal to complain about the decision to promote Dennison. and held the position for seven years until June 1993. During his first few years as athletic director for Walsh, the university instated football as a sport, naming Dennison the head coach of the newly formed team for the 1995 season. As head coach, Dennison lead the team to fourteen winning seasons including a 2001 Mid-States Football Association championship in 2001 and NAIA playoff appearance in 2006.

Legacy Dennison was honored by both the University of Akron and Walsh University following his retirement. He was placed in the Athletics Ring of Honor at Akron in 2003, and in the Walsh Athletic Wall of Fame in 2013. and the two were married until his death. He had four children. His brother, Terry, coached basketball at various institutions, including the University of Akron, where Dennison worked. Dennison died in Ravenna, Ohio, on January 4, 2026, at the age of 87. (Some sources mislabel his death date as "January 5, 2026".)