Harring Will Coach Bologna Football Team

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football coach Roger Harring says he will take a leave of absence during the second semester to coach an Italian professional team, but return to coach the Indians next fall.

Harring said he will serve as coach of the Bologna, Italy, Doves in the Federazione Italiana Football Americano. His contract runs from January to July.

“It’s 12 regular-season games. It’s just a one-semester opportunity to experience football in a different domain,” he said. “Right now I have no pre-determined ideas. I plan to come back and run my volleyball and football camps in the summer and prepare for our football season.”

Harring has posted a 145-50-6 record in 19 years as UW-La Crosse coach, and his teams have won eight Wisconsin State University Conference championships and participated in five national playoffs. His 1985 team won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division II title.

He has designated Rollo Taylor and Jerry Binder to coordinate the Indians’ recruiting effort in his absence.

“Before I leave, we will have made high school visits, have had kids here at school and have made phone contacts. Then we’ll give Rollo and Jerry a prospective list to follow,” Harring said