Peter Jennings is embarking on his third season as the head coach of the UW-Oshkosh Titans in 2024, building upon a solid foundation with an overall record of 12-8 and a 8-6 record in the highly competitive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). Jennings holds the distinguished position as the 23rd head coach in the UW-Oshkosh football program’s illustrious 129-year history. This program boasts a rich tradition, including 11 WIAC titles and five NCAA Division III Championship appearances, highlighted by their journey to the national title game in 2016.
In the 2023 season, Peter Jennings expertly guided the Titans to a 6-4 record (4-3 in the WIAC), culminating in a significant upset victory over the No. 11 ranked UW-River Falls on their home turf. Under Jennings’ offensive leadership, UW-Oshkosh showcased a high-powered offense, averaging an impressive 37.20 points per game and amassing 3,181 passing yards – both representing the highest figures since the 2017 season. The team’s success was further recognized with four players earning All-WIAC First Team honors, and Kobe Berghammer, Carson Raddatz, and Clayton Schwalbe receiving All-Region accolades.
During his inaugural season in 2022, Peter Jennings quickly established a strong defensive identity for the Titans. The team excelled in limiting opponents to just 14.6 points per game and demonstrated exceptional efficiency in red zone situations. Their red zone defense was formidable, allowing scores only 58.8 percent of the time, while their red zone offense converted a remarkable 90 percent of their possessions into points, leading the conference in both categories. UW-Oshkosh also showcased excellent pass protection, allowing a league-low (tied with UW-La Crosse) of only 12 sacks throughout the season. Nationally, the Titans’ red zone offense ranked fifth in NCAA Division III, and their red zone defense stood at 12th. The team’s strong performance earned them a No. 19 preseason ranking in the D3football.com poll, climbing as high as No. 15 during the season and consistently receiving significant votes each week. In recognition of their individual achievements, eleven Titans were named to the All-WIAC team, with four earning first-team honors, and four players also receiving All-Region recognition.
Prior to his appointment at UW-Oshkosh, Peter Jennings served as the offensive coordinator at UW-Whitewater for four successful seasons (2018-2021). During his tenure, he played a crucial role in the Warhawks’ impressive 39-4 record and contributed to securing three WIAC championships.
With Peter Jennings directing the offense, UW-Whitewater achieved significant national success, advancing to the NCAA Division III championship game in 2019 and reaching the national semifinals in both 2018 and 2021. The Warhawks posted outstanding 13-1 records in both 2018 and 2021, and a 13-2 record in 2019. (The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Jennings’ offensive units at UW-Whitewater consistently produced high-scoring and high-yardage outputs, averaging 41.6 points and 444.3 yards per game in 2018, 30.1 points and 376.7 yards per contest in 2019, and 40.9 points and 447.1 yards in 2021. His mentorship at UW-Whitewater was evident in the development of two WIAC Offensive Players of the Year, ten Division III All-Americans, and a recipient of the prestigious Division III Rimington Award.
Before his impactful time at UW-Whitewater, Peter Jennings gained extensive coaching experience in offensive coordinator roles at Rhodes College (Tennessee) from 2016-2018, Carroll University from 2012-2016, and Iowa Wesleyan University from 2008-2011. He also served as the interim head football coach at Iowa Wesleyan University during the 2009 offseason, and held positions as the passing game coordinator at Carroll University in 2011 and interim head baseball coach at Carroll University in 2013, demonstrating his versatility and leadership across different sports. Notably, Jennings’ offenses at Rhodes College achieved program season records in total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, total yards, and passing yards, showcasing his ability to build dynamic and record-breaking offenses. At Carroll University, he contributed to the offense reaching its two highest-scoring seasons in the school’s history.
Peter Jennings, a graduate of Fort Madison (Iowa) High School, earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and exercise science from Illinois College in 2007. He furthered his education by obtaining a master’s degree in psychology from Walden University (Minnesota) in 2009. As a player, Jennings was a standout quarterback for Illinois College for four years (2004-2007) after transferring from Bemidji State University (Minnesota). Peter Jennings is married to Kim, and they are the proud parents of a son, Ben, and a daughter, Mara.
The UW-Oshkosh football program has a storied history, with remarkable stability in its head coaching positions. Between 1946 and 2021, the program had only six different head coaches. The Titans have consistently been a force in the WIAC, securing at least a share of four conference titles in the past decade. Their 11 league championships were won in 1920, 1923, 1928, 1935, 1968, 1972, 1976, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2019. Beyond conference success, UW-Oshkosh has made significant strides in the NCAA Division III playoffs, reaching the 2016 national championship game, the semifinal round in 2012 and 2017, the quarterfinals in 2015, and the first round in 2019. The program’s current streak of 12 consecutive winning seasons is the longest in its history, demonstrating consistent excellence. In recent years, the Titans have maintained a strong performance, including a 6-4 overall record in the 2023 season and a fourth-place finish in the WIAC with a 4-3 mark. Their consistent winning records over the past decade underscore the program’s strength and commitment to success.
Peter Jennings is poised to continue building upon this legacy, bringing his expertise and passion to the UW-Oshkosh Titans football program. His proven track record of offensive innovation and player development positions him to lead the Titans to even greater achievements in the seasons to come.
