GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota Athletics Department mourns the passing of legendary head football coach Marvin “Whitey” Helling, who passed away on Sunday in Wisconsin at the age of 91.
A 1988 inductee into the UND Athletics Letterwinners Hall of Fame, Helling served as UND head coach for 11 years from 1957 to 1967 and helped transform the program into a Division II national power, leading UND to three North Central Conference titles and pair of Division II bowl game victories.
“The UND football family was saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Marv 'Whitey' Helling,” said current UND head football coach Bubba Schweigert. “Coach Helling left a lasting legacy with the program and remained a strong supporter throughout his lifetime. His efforts and contributions to UND football will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
Helling was named head coach at UND prior to the 1957 season, inheriting a program that had gone 2-6 the previous year. One year later in 1958, Helling led UND to its first NCC championship in 17 years. Helling led the team to two more NCC titles in 1964 and 1966.
Helling also guided UND to its first two Division II bowl game appearances, a 1965 victory over Northern Illinois in the Mineral Water Bowl and a 1966 win over Parsons in the Pecan Bowl. His 1965 team was inducted into the UND Hall of Fame this past fall, joining his 1958, 1964 and 1966 squads that were already previously inducted.
In 11 seasons as UND head coach, Helling went 60-35-3 (.628). Sixteen of his former players have been enshrined in the UND Athletics Hall of Fame, including the likes of future National Football League standouts Errol Mann and Dave Osborn. During Helling's tenure, nine Fighting Sioux football players earned All-America or All-American honorable mention accolades.
Born in Luverne, Minn., Helling enrolled at Macalester College, where he competed in football, basketball and track. In June 1942, he enlisted in the Navy Officer Candidate program and received officer training and later commanded a gunboat in the Pacific area.
Released from the Navy in 1946, Helling returned to Macalester and graduated in 1948. He also received a master's degree from Macalester in 1952.
Helling was hired at UND after high school coaching stints in Minnesota in Jackson, Detroit Lakes and Minneapolis (Washburn High School).
In lieu of flowers, the Helling family asks that donations be made to the UND Foundation. The Helling family has stated its intention to establish the Marvin Helling Memorial Football Scholarship Endowment.
A memorial service is tentatively planned for April 2015 at the Fort Snelling Chapel in Saint Paul, Minn.
Cards can be sent directly to Helling's wife, Marcia, at:
Landings on Lemon Bay
2424 Placida Road, Unit C-201
Englewood, FL 34224
UND Athletics would like to extend its deepest sympathies to Coach Helling's family and friends.
