Longtime Husker Bowling Coach Bill Straub Announces Retirement

Nebraska Bowling Coach Bill Straub announced Wednesday that has retired after nearly 40 years as Nebraska’s bowling coach.

Straub is the only head coach in the history of the Nebraska women’s program since it became a varsity sport in the 1997-98 season. Before that, Straub served as the head coach of Nebraska’s men’s and women’s club programs, a job he took on in 1983.

“Football Hall of Famer Paul Hornung was quoted as saying: ‘I have never had a job. I have been on scholarship my whole life’. It is quite truthful for me to echo Mr. Hornung’s comments,” Straub said in a press release. “I have also been blessed beyond belief to be employed by such a special institution. My heartfelt gratitude goes to all those allowing my long coaching career at Nebraska.”

Straub led NU’s women’s bowling team program to 10 total national titles, seven of which came after bowling was made a varsity sport. 

Additionally, Straub’s Nebraska men’s teams won national championships in 1990 and 1996 for a total of 12 national titles over the past 30 years.

Last season, Nebraska reached the semifinals of the NCAA Championships for the 11th straight year. In the 16 years the NCAA has sponsored bowling, Nebraska is the only program to have qualified for the NCAA Championship every season.

“Bill Straub is Nebraska Bowling,” Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos said in a release. “He built the program from the ground up before it was a varsity sport, and is the only coach in the history of our program. He truly built a dominant program in the sport, and is widely respected in his profession. Bill is a true Husker and we look forward to seeing him at games and events for years to come.  I want to wish Bill and his family best wishes in his retirement.”

Straub was named the NTCA Coach of the Year three times, in 2005, 2013 and 2017.

In his career, Straub coached 57 All-Americans and 77 NTCA Scholastic All-Americans since the program became a varsity sport in 1997.  Including its club days, Straub coached a combined total of 89 All-Americans and a 106 scholastic All-Americans.

Moos is already undergoing the process to replace Straub.

(Photo – Courtesy of the NU Athletic Department)