Members
Inductee
PERRY, C. WAYNE
PERRY, C. WAYNE
Born on
Inducted On
June 2, 2023
Location Inducted
Indianapolis, Indiana
Region Number
10
Hanover College
Coach
Madison High School
1968
DePauw University
B.A., M.A.
1972, 1974
A native of Madison, In., Perry played on both the offensive and defensive lines at DePauw University, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees. Following two years as a graduate assistant coach at DePauw, he was head coach at East Central High School from 1974 to 1978. Perry is a member of the DePauw University Hall of Fame.
Perry became the winningest coach in Indiana collegiate football history with a 41-35 overtime victory against the College of Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) on October 1, 2005. With the victory, he surpassed Butler University legend Tony Hinkle, who totaled 1965 wins in 32 seasons with the Bulldogs.
Wayne Perry earned the NAIA District 21 Coach of the Year honor 7 times during a 10-year span in the 1980s and 90s. In addition, he was named Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1989, 94, 95, 97, 99 and 2003. In those seasons, the Panthers captured league championships and earned playoff berths five times.
Under his coaching, 26 Hanover players were named to 44 All-American teams, including a precedent-setting three first team offensive selections in 1991. Hanover has dominated the Heartland Conference player of the year award, winning 11 league Most Valuable Players from 1989 through 2003.
Wayne and his wife, Debbie have two daughters, Jennifer and Melanie.
Perry joined Hanover's staff as an offensive line coach in 1979 and replaced Pete Compise as head coach in 1982. Perry has tallied a 174-88-2 record through 26 seasons at Hanover College. His Panthers have won eight conference championships (1989, 94, 95, 97, 99, 2000, 02 and 03) and posted all of the school's 10-win seasons (10-0 in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2002).
