Assoc. Head Coach Bill Salmon

The UNI offense put together one of the finest seasons ever in 2007 under associate head coach and co-offensive coordinator Bill Salmon. The Panthers scored 469 points to set a school record and tallied the most rushing yards (2,956) in school history.

Highly regarded as one of UNI's best quarterbacks ever, Salmon (SAHL-mun) rejoined the Panther staff in 2001 as associate head coach, offensive coordinator and assistant in charge of the wide receivers. Prior to his return to UNI, Salmon served as the offensive coordinator at the University of Kansas from 1997-2000. Salmon was also the running backs coach for the Jayhawks in 1999 and 2000. The 2008 season will be Salmon's 22nd season as a Panther assistant coach.

"It's still UNI," he said upon his return to the Cedar Valley. "Still football. Still people I know. It's easy. This is home."

Salmon is a native of Cedar Falls, a graduate of Cedar Falls High School and a UNI football alum.

Salmon started three years at quarterback (1973-75) for the Panthers and was known for his excellent throwing arm, quick release, great quickness, speed, football knowledge (he called about 75 percent of his own plays), and was superb at running the Panther veer attack. He ran as good as any running back, and was not afraid to do so.

He was a third team all-America selection and North Central Conference Offensive Player of the Year following his senior campaign when he led UNI to the NCAA Division II playoffs. He set a multitude of school records, including throwing for 4,342 regular season career yards and gaining 5,371 yards in total offense. He was drafted in the 10th round by the Minnesota Vikings, but an off-season knee injury ended his playing career.

Former UNI director of athletics and head football coach, Stan Sheriff, called Salmon "the greatest and smartest quarterback I've ever coached. He can throw the ball a mile, runs like any back and could even kick if we asked him to. I've never seen a quarterback with as much talent, confidence, poise and knowledge as Bill Salmon has. But it's his take-charge attitude and game-breaking capabilities which really makes him great."

Salmon first served as a UNI assistant from 1983-96, coaching the wide receivers and running backs. He was Farley's first appointee when he was hired at UNI as head coach.

Bill Salmon

"Trust is the number one reason," Farley said when describing why he wanted Salmon on his staff. "I was a defensive coach and I wanted someone I could turn the offense over to, and let them control that phase of the game."

In 2005, the Panthers' offense flourished and set a school record with 6,008 yards of total offense. UNI also set school marks in points scored (449), offensive plays (1,024) and first downs (298). UNI ranked No. 6 in the nation in pass efficiency, No. 31 in passing offense, No. 32 in scoring offense and No. 34 in total offense. The Panthers placed first in the Gateway in passing efficiency, fourth in pass offense, fifth in rushing offense and fifth in total offense.

The Panther offense continued to put up impressive numbers in 2006. UNI ranked No. 4 in the nation in total offense (408.3 yards/game), 8th in passing efficiency (152.45 rating), 10th in rushing offense (219.3 yards/game) and 11th in scoring (31.0 points/game). In 2006, the Panthers led the Gateway in total offense. In 2007, UNI led the Gateway in total offense (457.31 yards/game) and ranked second in the league in passing efficiency (168.19 rating). The Panther offense set school records for points (469), rushing yards (2,956), rushing touchdowns (39), first downs (322) and rushing first downs (163).

Salmon has coached 33 Panther all-conference selections, 13 all-Americans and six wide receivers who have gone on to play in the NFL, including wide receiver Dedric Ward, who was a third-round selection in the 1998 NFL draft by the New York Jets.

His wife's name is Kim. He was born Jan. 27, 1954, in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1972, where he was an all-conference, all-district and all-state selection and a team MVP.

The Salmon File

Awards & Honors