Tim Rucks

Tim Rucks (December 21, 1960 – March 10, 2015) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at North Park University in Chicago, Illinois, from 1990 to 1994 and Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, from 1995 to 2012, compiling a career college football coaching record of 104–112–4.

Early life an playing career Rucks was born on December 21, 1960, in Waukegan, Illinois, and graduated from Waukegan West High School in 1979. Rucks played college football at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, under head coach Art Keller. A first-team College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), player in his senior year, Rucks graduated in 1983.

In 1984, Rucks played for the Racine Gladiators, being named to the all-league and all minor-league teams, and in 1985 for the Chicago Chargers. Inducted into the American Football Association Semi-Pro Hall of Fame in 2002, Rucks later served on the Gladiators' (now known as the Racine Raiders) Board of Directors.

Coaching career High school Rucks was an assistant coach from 1986 to 1988 at Niles North High School in Skokie, Illinois.

North Park Rucks was the head football coach at North Park University in Chicago. Having started as an assistant coach in 1989, Rucks was promoted to head coach in 1990, becoming the NCAA's youngest head football coach at 29. Ruck served as head coach for five seasons, until 1994, compiling a record of 9–33–3.

Carthage After North Park, Rucks became the head football coach at his alma mater, Carthage. Before Rucks took over, the Red Men had not had a single winning season in their previous 13 years. Rucks quickly turned the team's fortunes around, accomplishing winning records in three of their first four seasons. In 2004, Rucks led the Red Men to their first Division III football playoff in 2004, advancing all the way to the quarterfinals. For that he was named the Coach of the Year for the CCIW and the Division III North Region. In 2009, Rucks was named Wisconsin Private College Football Coach of the Year. Rucks stepped down following the 2012 season. His coaching record at Carthage was 95–79–1.

Later life and death After retiring as the coach, Rucks remained with Carthage as an assistant athletic director and academic advisor.

On March 10, 2015, Rucks was found unconscious in his car, which had been in a one-car accident in Kenosha. Emergency crews were unable to resuscitate him.