Dave Kragthorpe, the former Idaho State head coach who led the Bengals to their only national football championship in 1981, died Sunday morning at age 93 at an assisted living facility in Montgomery, Texas. Kragthorpe, a Utah State Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, was living in Texas near his wife, Barbara, and grandson, Christopher, at the time of his death.
Collegiate and Military Career
Kragthorpe's death on Sunday, Aug. 23, marks the end of a storied career in both collegiate and professional football, according to Utah State University. He was a prominent figure in the Aggies program, where he played as a two-way tackle from 1951 to 1954, earning two All-Skyline Conference Eight honors and becoming a member of the school's All-Century team.
Beyond the football field, Kragthorpe was a multi-sport athlete who spent two seasons as a catcher for the Utah State baseball team. He earned double bachelor's degrees in physical education and recreation education in 1955, followed by a master's degree in secondary education in 1963 after serving two years in the United States Navy.
Championship Turnaround at Idaho State
Kragthorpe's coaching legacy is most defined by his tenure at Idaho State University, where he orchestrated a dramatic turnaround for the football program. After the team finished the 1979 season with an 0-11 record, Kragthorpe took over the program and led the Bengals to a 12-1 record, a Big Sky Conference Championship, and the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship in 1981.
During that championship season, the Bengals outscored opponents 422-172. His success at Idaho State led to a coaching career that included six years as head coach at Oregon State, where he was named the Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 1989.
A Legacy of Character
Former players and colleagues described Kragthorpe as a man of exceptional character. Scott Berger, a former Bengal linebacker and longtime Skyline High School coach, remembered him as a "solid citizen" and a "straight shooter" who was fair and honest.
Glenn Alford, a longtime Idaho State sports information director, described Kragthorpe as one of the finest human beings he had ever known. Alford noted that Kragthorpe's demeanor remained pleasant and respectful regardless of whether the team had won or lost a game. Former All-American quarterback Mike Machurek recalled the significant impact Kragthorpe had on his life, stating that the coach's decision to recruit him to Idaho State was one of the best days of his life.
Professional and Administrative Roles
Kragthorpe's professional experience also included a season in the NFL with the New York Giants after being drafted in the 16th round in 1955. His coaching journey began as an assistant at Montana and South Dakota State before he served as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Brigham Young University under LaVell Edwards from 1970 to 1979.
Later in his career, Kragthorpe served as the Athletics Director at Utah State University in 1983 and was hired by the Utah State University Alumni Association in 1994 to rebuild the university's alumni chapters program. He was a member of several university organizations, including the Old Main Society and the Emeriti Association, and received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2005.
Family Legacy
Kragthorpe is survived by his wife, Barbara, and his sons, Kurt and Steve. His son Steve followed his father into the coaching profession, serving as the offensive coordinator for North Texas State in 1995.
