Biographical details | |
---|---|
Born | Nantucket, Massachusetts, U.S. | May 4, 1923
Died | September 23, 2014 Savannah, Georgia, U.S. | (aged 91)
Playing career | |
1947–1948 | Boston University |
Position(s) | Quarterback |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
early 1950s | Boston University (assistant) |
1954–1956 | New Britain HS (CT) |
1957–1965 | Columbia (backfield) |
1966–1970 | Connecticut |
Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
1969–1987 | Connecticut |
1983–1985 | NCAA (president) |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 20–24–3 (college) |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Championships | |
2 Yankee (1968, 1970) | |
Awards | |
NFF Distinguished American Award (1986) | |
John L. Toner (May 4, 1923 – September 23, 2014) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at the University of Connecticut (UConn) from 1966 to 1970 and as the school's athletic director from 1969 to 1987. During his 18-year tenure as athletic director Toner also served in several roles with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), including as its president from 1983 to 1985. Toner was responsible for several momentous decisions in his time as athletic director at UConn, including UConn becoming a founding member of the Big East Conference in 1979, as well as the hiring of future Hall of Fame coaches Geno Auriemma and Jim Calhoun. He also oversaw the funding and construction of Gampel Pavilion.