It's hard to think of an individual who embodied what Sonoma State football was all about more than Lenny Wagner. In his eight years in the program, first as a player, then as a coach, Lenny was a Cossack through and through.
Lenny came to SSU from a very successful Fullerton JC program and immediately helped put the Sonoma State football program on the map. A first team all-Northern California Athletic Conference performer both years, Lenny was also voted by his teammates as the squad's team captain and Most Valuable Player each season. In 1990, Lenny, along with his defensive teammates virtually shut down opposing offenses. The Cossacks not only led the nation in rushing defense that year, they led the nation in total defense!
After his playing days were through, Lenny joined Tim Walsh's coaching staff, focusing his energies on the play of the linebackers. Of course, anyone who was around back then also knows that being an assistant coach was hardly the most glamourous of jobs. There was laundry to do - and lots of it. Lenny may have complained, but he kept it to himself.
As the years progressed, so did his responsibilities, culminating in being named Defensive Coordinator in 1996. In 1998, Lenny was named the head coach at Mendocino JC and in 1999 was named Bay Valley Conference Coach of the Year after his squad posted the #2 defense in the nation - all at the smalledt JC in the nation with football!
In 2000, Lenny was named the defensive coordinator at Santa Rosa JC and was instrumental in the Bear Cubs becoming East County Bowl champions. It is just another accomplishment in what is obviously going to be a very successful coaching career for Lenny.
