WOODBURN, Ind. - Legendary Woodlan High School football coach Leland Etzler died Sunday, the athletic department announced.
He was 78 years old.
Etzler was a staple of the Woodlan community for 43 years, notably serving as head coach of the Warriors football program from 1965 to 2004. During that timeframe, he won 11 Allen County Athletic Conference championships, 3 sectionals titles, 3 regionals titles, 1 semi-state title and a state finals appearance in 1981.
Etzler tallied 287 career wins with a 70.9 winning percentage.
Etzler was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame while still coaching in 2001, and the football field at Woodlan High School was named in his honor.
Etzler taught science at Woodlan from 1962 to 1988 before becoming a guidance counselor from 1989 until his retirement in 2005. He also served as a track & field head coach. In 2006 and 2014, he was elected to the East Allen County Schools board.
Funeral services are 1:00 a.m. Friday at Woodburn Missionary Church. Visitation will run from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, also at Woodburn Missionary Church.