Dennis (Denny) Stolz, former Michigan State University Spartans head football coach, passed away at home in Midland, Michigan, on May 25, 2023. Denny was born on September 12, 1933, in Lansing, Michigan.
Denny graduated from Mason High School in 1951 where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He attended Alma College where he continued his athletic career playing baseball and football. Denny was the All MIAA Quarterback in 1954. Denny married the love of his life, Cena, on August 4, 1956.
After his academic and athletic success, Denny found his passion in coaching. He had a positive impact on many players’ lives over the years, teaching them sportsmanship, teamwork, and loyalty. His career in coaching began at the high school level coaching football at Haslett High School and Lansing Eastern High School from 1955-1964, enjoying five championship teams. Denny became the head football coach at Alma College in 1965, coaching four MIAA championship teams including two undefeated seasons. He moved into the Big Ten at Michigan State University as the defensive coordinator in 1970 under Duffy Daugherty. Denny became the Michigan State University head football coach in 1973. He notched his signature win, beating number one ranked Ohio State by a score of 16-13 at Spartan Stadium in 1974. Denny then moved to Bowling Green State University where he was the head coach from 1977-1985. His time at BGSU also included an undefeated season as well as two California Bowl appearances. Denny finished his football coaching career at San Diego State University where he won the school’s only Western Athletic Conference Championship and Holiday Bowl appearance in 1986.
Denny was referred to as “Mr. Coach of the Year” by the USA Today in reference to him being named the Head Football Coach of the Year in four separate conferences – the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the Big Ten, the Mid-American Conference, and the Western Athletic Conference. Denny had 125 wins as a college head coach, notching his 100th win on the road at Kentucky. Denny was a member of the Greater Lansing Hall of Fame, Alma College Hall of Fame as well as both Mason High School and Haslett High School Hall of Fame. He made it a point to attend as many team reunions and outings as he could manage over the years after retirement.
In retirement Denny also enjoyed Standardbred harness racing with his good friends, Alan Tomlinson and Doug Ackerman. Denny’s success in sports continued at the track, owning Michigan Champion Filly Pacer, G.I. Jill and Ohio Sires Stake Champion Filly Pacer Karlee Sue.
Denny is pre-deceased by his wife of 60 years, Cena (Horn) in 2016, his brothers, Tim Stolz and Ron Stolz, and his granddaughter, Karis McBride. Denny leaves behind his brother, Stanley (Peggy) Stolz, his son, Doak (Amy) Stolz, daughters Dawn (John) McBride, and Denise (Josh Vinson) Fladeboe, and his very special friend Sylvia Davis. He also leaves many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which he loved very much, who lovingly knew him as “Papa” and “Coach”.
Funeral services for Denny will take place 11 a.m. Friday, June 2, 2023 from the Haslett Community Church, 1427 Haslett Rd. in Haslett, with Rev. Betsy Aho officiating. Denny’s family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of the service. The family will receive friends at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home in Midland on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, followed by a private family graveside service in Midland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Alma College, 614 West Superior Street, Alma MI 48801 for the specific benefit and use of the Alma College Football Program for its general purposes.
