And even a better person. RIP Coach Kap, you had a tremendous impact on thousands of Bobcats.

https://ohiobobcats.com/sports/fball/2020-21/releases/202...

Truly a great ambassador for Bobcat athletics and for the University at large.

He always made me feel welcomed when crossing paths.

RIP Coach.

 

Coach had a tradition of watching games from the roof of Peden tower. Today we keep the tradition, and issued him a hat in his honor. Rest easy coach, and keep watching over your Bobcats.

Bleed Green pic.twitter.com/DrOva3W710

— OHIO Bobcats FBEQ (@OHIOBobcatsFBEQ) November 28, 2020

Very sad to hear this news. Coach Kappes was as loyal and true a Bobcat as was ever born, despite the fact he graduated from that school in Oxford. After his retirement he remained a fixture around OHIO athletics. I remember that he and his wife served us at the Green & White Club Ox Roasts and were visible around town in various capacities. There is one expression that always comes to mind when I think of Coach Kappes, "butts in the seats." This because in the year that he was interim head coach when addressing the Green and White Club he said that he wanted to build the program so that we have "a butt in every seat." I sometimes wonder what OHIO athletics would be like today if he had been given the permanent reigns instead of Brian Burke. Though one can never know for sure the outcome of an historical "if," my money would be on a much better program in the 1980s and '90s.

Strangely, two days ago I had a dream about Coach Kappes. It was one of those dreams you have when you are half awake that are kind of floating and have no real plot or story line. All that I recall is that I awoke wondering where Coach Kappes was today and if he was still alive. It turns out that I was having this dream the day he died. Prior to this I hadn't thought about him for a long time that I can recall.

Best coach I ever had the privilege to play for. There was no BS with Kap. He was all about accountability. If he thought your performance did not match up with your ability...there was no place to hide. The only time I saw him angry was when your performance did not line up with his opinion of your ability . And I never had a problem with that.
I obviously thought a great deal of him. Will never forget him. Always grateful for have had the privilege of playing for him. He taught me much about maturity.

Thanks Coach.