Buddy Teevens, Dartmouth Football Coach, Dies Months After Pickup Collision While Cycling

Innovative Ivy League football coach Buddy Teevens dies at 66 from injuries sustained in a bicycle accident.

Buddy Teevens, a renowned Ivy League football coach known for his innovative techniques and contributions to player safety, tragically passed away on Tuesday at the age of 66. Teevens, who introduced robotic tackling dummies to Dartmouth College's practices, had been battling injuries sustained from a bicycle accident in March.

In a heartfelt letter to the Dartmouth community, School President Sian Leah Beilock and Athletic Director Mike Harrity announced Teevens' passing. The Teevens family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support they received during his journey towards recovery and shared their sorrow over his loss.

Following the accident earlier this year in Florida, Teevens had his right leg amputated and also suffered a spinal cord injury. He and his wife, Kirsten, relocated to Boston to be closer to their loved ones and continue his rehabilitation.

Sammy McCorkle, Teevens' longtime assistant, has taken on the role of interim coach for the Dartmouth football team this season. The team, known as the Big Green, played their first game of the season last weekend, resulting in a loss to New Hampshire.

McCorkle informed the team of Teevens' passing on Tuesday, and despite the tragedy, the Big Green plans to proceed with their home opener against Lehigh on Saturday. The school will observe a moment of silence before the game and hold a gathering of remembrance afterward.

In the statement announcing Teevens' death, the school expressed their intention to honor his legacy in the coming weeks and months, seeking input from his surviving family members.

Teevens leaves behind his wife, Kirsten, their daughter Lindsay, and son Buddy Jr., as well as four grandchildren. Throughout his career, Teevens achieved remarkable success as a Dartmouth quarterback and coach. He holds the record for the most wins in Dartmouth history, with a 117-101-2 record over 23 seasons. Teevens led the Big Green to five Ivy League championships and was named Ivy League player of the year in 1978.

Aside from his accomplishments on the field, Teevens will be remembered for his commitment to player safety. He revolutionized the sport by implementing reduced-contact practices that emphasized technique while still achieving winning results. Teevens also played a pivotal role in the development of the Mobile Virtual Player, a robotic tackling dummy created by Dartmouth's engineering school that has been adopted by other college programs and NFL teams.

Furthermore, Teevens actively sought to create opportunities for women in college football. In 2018, he hired Callie Brownson as an offensive quality control coach for the Big Green, making her the first full-time Division I female football coach.

Teevens' impact on the Dartmouth community and the sport of football at large cannot be overstated. His loss will be deeply felt by all those whose lives he touched and positively influenced. Buddy Teevens will be remembered as a true Dartmouth original, greatly missed but forever cherished.

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