TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo head football coach Jason Candle and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Vince Kehres have been honored by the Mount Union athletic department for their contributions to Purple Raider football.
Kehres has been inducted into the Mount Union M Club Hall of Fame and Candle was named the recipient of the Duke Barret Award of Excellence.
Kehres was the head coach at Mount Union for seven seasons, leading the program to NCAA Division III National Championships in 2015 and 2017. His coaching record was 95-6, giving him more coaching victories than any other college football coach at any level during his tenure. Kehres' teams won six Ohio Athletic Conference titles and played in five national championship games. Prior to serving as a head coach Kehres was an assistant under his father, Larry Kehres, for 13 seasons. He was a part of 12 of Mount Union's 13 national titles, including two as a player in 1996 and 1997.
"I am humbled and honored to be chosen for this prestigious recognition," Kehres said. "This award is a credit to the many outstanding young men I had the opportunity to coach and also to the many great men I was blessed to coach with and learn from in my years at my alma mater."
Candle is receiving the Duke Barret Award of Excellence, which is named for the 1951 graduate who was a long-time supporter of Purple Raider athletics. Barret was an avid M Club member, former chair of the Hall of Fame committee, and the Mount Union head football coach from 1956-61. The award honors a member of M Club for career experiences or activities that have brought honor and recognition to the individual and, in turn, Mount Union.
"I am honored to receive the Duke Barret Award of Excellence," Candle said. "My time and the people at Mount Union forever shaped my life. It is humbling to be recognized along side so many Mount Union greats."
Candle was an assistant coach at Mount Union for six seasons, helping lead the team to an 83-4 record and national championships in 2005, 2006, and 2008. He began his tenure as the Purple Raiders' wide receivers coach before being elevated to offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator. As a player, Candle was an all-conference wide receiver and a key member of two national championship teams. His best season came in 2001 when he led the team in receptions (41), receiving yards (778), and touchdowns (9).
In seven seasons as Toledo's head coach, Candle has put together a 54-32 record with a pair of MAC Championships and six bowl appearances. No MAC team has won more games than Toledo during Candle's tenure as head coach.
Candle, Kehres, and the rest of the M Club Hall of Fame class will be recognized on Friday, Nov. 10.
