Stan Sheriff

Bruce Stanley “Stan” Sheriff was more than just a football coach–he was a leader, a visionary and a man who left an enduring mark on every program he touched. Sheriff’s impact on college athletics continues to be felt, particularly at the University of Northern Iowa, where he led the football program to new heights and helped shape the future of UNI athletics. 

Born in Hawaii in 1932, Sheriff moved to the mainland at the age 10 and became a standout athlete. After graduating from Washington High School in San Francisco, he played college football at California Polytechnic State University from 1950 to 1953, where he earned Little All-American honors and received honorable mention All-America recognition at the Division 1 level. 

His talent propelled him to the professional ranks, where he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns between 1954 and 1957. As a primary starter at left linebacker for the 49ers in 1956 and 1957, Sheriff demonstrated the toughness and leadership that would define his coaching career. 

In 1958, he transitioned into coaching, joining the University of Northern Iowa as an assistant. Two years later, he took over as head coach, beginning a 22-season tenure that cemented his place in Panther history. Under Sheriff’s leadership, UNI football compiled a 129-101-4 record–the most wins by any coach in school history. His teams won six conference titles, posted 15 winning seasons and made four bowl appearances. He was named coach of the year twice. 

Sheriff’s influence was felt through the relationships he built with his players. “As an athlete for him, he had a great understanding of what it took to play the game because of his success playing,” said former player and assistant Terry Allen, who later became UNI’s head coach. “He could communicate with you as an athlete.”

Beyond his coaching success, Sheriff became UNI’s athletic director in 1970, helping elevate the school’s athletic programs. His most significant contribution in this role was leading the effort to build the UNI-Dome, a 16,000-seat indoor stadium that opened in 1976. The Dome transformed UNI athletics, providing a premier facility for football and other events. 

“I don’t think anybody here will forget how much the Dome has meant to this institution,” Allen said. “It’s a landmark in the state of Iowa. Everything, all of our athletic success, is directly reflective of the Dome.” In recognition of his contributions, the football field inside the dome was named Sheriff Field in this honor. 

Editor’s Note: Quotes pulled from REGISTER STAFF WRITER Randy Peterson contributed to this article. Copyright Des Moines Register, January 18, 1993, page 1S.