Beloved Dartmouth Football Coach Eugene F. “Buddy” Teevens Dies Following Bicycle Accident
Hanover, NH – The Dartmouth community is mourning the loss of Eugene F. “Buddy” Teevens ’79, the Robert L. Blackman Head Football Coach, who passed away today at the age of 66. Teevens had been battling injuries sustained in a bicycle accident in March.
In a statement released by the Teevens family, they expressed their heartbreak over the loss of their beloved coach. They acknowledged the outpouring of support they had received throughout his journey. The family expressed their gratitude for the love and memories shared by friends and fans of Buddy Teevens.
President Sian Leah Beilock and Mike Harrity, the Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation, sent an email to the Dartmouth community expressing their sadness over the news. They described Buddy Teevens as a beloved coach and an inspirational leader who had a profound impact on the lives of many students.
Buddy Teevens is survived by his wife, Kirsten Teevens, and their children Lindsay and Buddy Jr., as well as their four grandchildren. The Teevens family is in the thoughts of the Dartmouth community during this difficult time.
After a practice session, the football team was gathered by Interim Head Coach Sammy McCorkle and Mike Harrity to inform them of Teevens’ passing. The team was offered support and resources to help them cope with the devastating news.
Teevens was involved in a tragic accident in March when his bike was struck by a pickup truck in Florida. He suffered severe injuries, including the amputation of his right leg and spinal cord injuries. He and his wife had relocated to Boston for his rehabilitation and to be close to family and friends.
Buddy Teevens ’79 was a highly respected figure in the football world. He was honored as the New England Coach of the Year three times and was known for his efforts to protect players from concussions. Teevens’ practice methods focused on technique and led to the development of the Mobile Virtual Player, a robotic tackling dummy used by Dartmouth and other college programs and NFL teams.
His impact extended beyond Dartmouth. Teevens had been part of the Manning Passing Academy for 25 years and played a role in hiring Callie Brownson as the first full-time female Division I coach in football at Dartmouth.
During the NFL draft, Teevens was recognized by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for his contributions to making the game safer and his efforts in hiring female coaches.
In honor of Teevens, the Ivy League football teams will be wearing a decal with his initials on their helmets this fall to show their support for him, his family, and the Dartmouth community.
Despite the tragedy, the Dartmouth football team will proceed with their game against Lehigh on Saturday at Memorial Field, as Teevens would have wanted. There will be a moment of silence before the game and a gathering of remembrance afterward. Dartmouth plans to honor his legacy in the upcoming weeks and months.
Buddy Teevens was not only a successful coach but also an accomplished player. He was named Ivy League Player of the Year in 1978 as quarterback for Dartmouth and was instrumental in leading the team to the Ivy League title. Teevens also excelled in hockey and helped Dartmouth reach the NCAA championship.
Throughout his career, Teevens coached for more than 30 years, including 22 seasons at Dartmouth. He was highly regarded as a coach, earning multiple Coach of the Year honors and achieving a record of 117-101-2 as Dartmouth’s head coach.
Buddy Teevens leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of football and will be remembered for his passion, innovation, and dedication to his players. The Dartmouth community extends its deepest sympathy to the Teevens family during this difficult time.
For those in need of support, students can reach out to the Counseling Center at 603-646-9442, while faculty and staff can contact the Faculty/Employee Assistance Program at 844-216-8308.