The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh football program has its new leader.
Peter Jennings has been named the new head coach of the Titans football program following a national search. UW Oshkosh Athletics Director Darryl Sims made the announcement Tuesday at a press conference at the Culver Family Welcome Center on the Oshkosh campus.
Jennings was most recently the offensive coordinator for four seasons at UW-Whitewater from 2018-21, helping the Warhawks to a 39-4 record and three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championships.
“Peter has a great vision for Titan football,” Sims said. “He has an innovative mind and has demonstrated the ability to work well with student-athletes and make them better both in the classroom and on the football field. Peter’s enthusiasm is contagious and resonates well with players and coaches through his interactions. He also understands the makeup of our conference and knows what it takes to be successful in our league and at the national level.”
Jennings becomes the 23rd head coach in the 126-year history of the UWO football program that has produced 11 WIAC titles and five NCAA Division III Championship appearances, including a trip to the 2016 national title game. Jennings takes over for former head coach Pat Cerroni, who announced his retirement in November after 15 successful years. Cerroni compiled a program-best 109-45 record with four WIAC championships and each of the team’s five NCAA postseason appearances.
UWO Athletics Director Darryl Sims (left) welcomed new head football coach Peter Jennings Tuesday on the Oshkosh campus.
“It is with great humility and unabashed excitement that I accept the offer to become the next head football coach at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh,” Jennings said. “Throughout my athletic career, as a player and a coach, I have had great teammates, great players, great coaches, great administrators and unwavering support from my family.
“I would like to say thank you to the search committee, our athletics administration, Darryl Sims and Abby Gildernick, and our Chancellor, Dr. Andrew Leavitt. I am truly ecstatic that they have entrusted me to take the reins of one of the flagship programs in all of Division III football.”
With Jennings directing the offense, UW-Whitewater advanced to the 2019 NCAA Division III championship game and reached the national semifinals in 2018 and 2021. The Warhawks compiled records of 13-1 in both 2018 and 2021, and 13-2 in 2019. The 2020 season was canceled.
Prior to his tenure at UW-Whitewater, Jennings was the offensive coordinator and associate head coach at Rhodes College in Tennessee from 2016-18, the offensive coordinator at Carroll University from 2012-16, and the offensive coordinator at Iowa Wesleyan University from 2008-11. Jennings, who served as Iowa Wesleyan University’s interim head football coach during the 2009 offseason, also had stints as the Carroll University passing game coordinator in 2011 and the interim head baseball coach at Carroll University in 2013.
Jennings earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and exercise science from Illinois College in 2007. Jennings, who went on to receive his master’s degree in psychology from Minnesota’s Walden University in 2009, was the Illinois College starting quarterback for four years from 2004-07 after transferring from Bemidji State University.
Jennings and his wife, Kim, are the parents of son, Ben, and daughter, Mara.
The Titans are scheduled to open the 2022 season at home against East Texas Baptist University on Sept. 10 at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.
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