Dr. John Willson
Dr. John Willson established a legacy of athletic excellence at Hillsdale College that has spanned three generations and produced the highest quality of student-athletes and recognition for the athletic department. He was the founder and first coach of the college’s women’s track and cross country teams, and later joined the football coaching staff as the kicking coach for Jack McAvoy in 1975. His two tenures as kicking coach spanned two of the most successful eras in Charger football history, the early 1980s and the late 2000s. He was named Teacher of the Year at Hillsdale College three times. He is the only man in college history to have a daughter (Laura Willson) and two granddaughters (Anna and Clara Leutheuser) to be named All-American athletes.