DEAN RENN

FOOTBALL

Born: November 6, 1934; West Frankfort, IL
Position: Head Coach
Played For: University of Illinois (1953-1955)
Coached For: West Frankfort HS, Metropolis HS, and Litchfield HS (1956-1960); Belleville East HS (1966-1981)

Dean Renn attended a small two room country grade school and then graduated from West Frankfort Community High School in West Frankfort, Il.  In his senior year, he earned letters in four sports, baseball, basketball, track and football. He was an All-State selection in football and Honorable Mention in Basketball.  Renn was also a member of the National Honor Society.

After high school, Renn accepted a football scholarship to the University of Illinois where he majored in physical education. He earned 2 letters in football during his career at U of I.  In 1953, he was a member of the Big Ten co-champion football team and in 1954 was the second leading receiver in the conference.

Upon graduation from college, Renn returned to his hometown to teach biology and coach football, basketball and golf. In the ensuing years, he coached football and other sports at several Illinois schools including Metropolis, Litchfield and then in 1961 moved to Belleville Township. While there, he taught physical education, driver’s training, football and was the head golf coach.

In 1966, Belleville East High School opened.  Renn was hired as the school’s first football and golf coach. The first team at Belleville East was a challenge. They had no seniors and the program was starting from scratch. However, under Coach Renn’s tutelage, the program began to grow.  Four years later, the Lancers enjoyed their first undefeated season.  The 1969 team with a 10-0 record was ranked #2 in the state of Illinois and #1 in the St. Louis Metro area.  Coach Renn was selected as The Sporting News St. Louis Metro High School Coach of the Year.  During this time period, he also earned his Master’s Degree from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville.

After 16 years at the helm of the Lancers program, Renn ended his football coaching career at the school with a record of 114 wins, 36 losses and 4 ties. During his tenure, the Lancers never experienced a losing season. As a result of his coaching excellence, Coach Renn has been selected to the Illinois Football Coaches Hall of Fame and the St. Louis Metro Football Coaches Hall of Fame.

In 1982, he took over as the Lancers boys golf coach and he also started the girl’s golf program.  In the ensuing 11 years, the boys program made three trips to the State Tournament and the girls team also made 3 trips to the State Finals.  Beginning in 1996, Renn also served as an assistant football coach at McKendree University for 10 years.

Renn credits many people for his success. He says, “I would like to thank the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame for this honor. I wasn’t the sharpest knife in the box, but I could surround myself with people smarter than me. I did that.”

Renn currently resides at a senior living residence in Indianapolis, In. He is extremely proud of the fact he bowled a perfect 300 game on Wii Bowling.  His daughters Stephanie and Jennifer reside in Bloomington, Il. and Indianapolis, In., respectively.