Jim Margraff, the head football coach at Johns Hopkins University since 1990 and the all-time winningest coach in program history, died Jan. 2. He was 58.
“Jim Margraff was a thoughtful, humble, passionate and exceptionally talented leader and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time,” Johns Hopkins athletic director Alanna W. Shanahan said in a news release. “He left an indelible impact on all he touched and he made us all better. We will forever be thankful for the unparalleled experiences he provided for so many over the course of his highly successful career.”
Margraff guided Johns Hopkins to the program’s first trip to the Division III national semifinals in December. The Blue Jays ended the season with a school-record 12 wins, and Margraff was named the National Coach of the Year by d3football.com.
The 2018 season marked the 10th consecutive Centennial Conference title and eighth straight trip to the D-III playoffs for Johns Hopkins. Margraff went 221-89-3 during his 29 years, and he ranked third in wins among active Division III coaches at the end of the season.
Margraff played quarterback for Johns Hopkins before graduating from the school in 1982. His coaching stops included Hopkins, Penn, Rochester and Columbia before he was hired as the head coach of the Blue Jays.
A memorial service will be held on the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus, according to the school, and details for the service will be announced soon.
Margraff is survived by his wife, Alice, and children Megan, James and Will.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Johns Hopkins Athletics