Chamberlin, a 1975 Springfield North High School graduate and 1980 UD graduate, was inducted into UD’s Hall of Fame in 1989. He still holds Dayton records for tackles in a career (419) and in a single season (152 in 1978).
Chamberlin joined Kelly’s staff as a linebackers coach in the 1979 season and never left the program, becoming defensive coordinator and then head coach in 2008. He finished his head coaching career with a record of 107-48 in 14 seasons. He ranks third in UD history in career victories behind Mike Kelly (246) and Harry Baujan (124) and second in winning percentage (.690) behind Kelly (.819).
Chamberlin, 65, led the program to an 8-3 mark and a second-place finish in the Pioneer Football League this fall. The Flyers became the ninth Football Championship Subdivision program to reach the 700-win milestone this season and extended their scoring streak to 501 games before a shutout loss at Butler.
Chamberlion made history when he won his 100th career game as a head coach this season. He became the third Division I coach out of 429 with 100 career victories to play for a school, immediately join the school as a coach and then become the head coach without leaving the program.
“Coach Chamberlin is literally defined by the teams that he has put on the field over the last 14 years — smart, tough, loyal, high-integrity, and a winner,” UD President Dr. Eric Spina said in a press release. “Rick’s values are fully aligned with UD’s values, and our football student-athletes have benefited as a result — they are doctors, lawyers, engineers, educators, public servants — each and every one contributing mightily to society. Make no doubt about it, Rick Chamberlin will be dearly missed, but his legacy at UD as a coach, mentor and person is forever secure.”
Speaking of Rick Chamberlin, here's a 1975 Springfield News-Sun story that announced his signing with Dayton. He was the city MVP as a senior at North in the fall of 1974. https://t.co/S8wLcHNVO6 pic.twitter.com/35iPTdRyzF
— David Jablonski (@DavidPJablonski) September 1, 2022
Dayton finished the 2022 season with 701 total wins. Chamberlin was a part of 26 of them as a player, 268 as an assistant coach and 107 as a head coach. UD has played 1,116 games in all, and he has been a part of 523.
“The University of Dayton has been blessed for nearly five decades to have Rick Chamberlin on our campus,” Athletic Director Neil Sullivan said in a press release. “He embodies the vision of education by connecting athletics to learning, leadership and service. He represents all that is UD. We will miss his leadership and presence, but are excited for Rick and his wife Jayne to experience the next chapter of life with their family. On behalf of everyone he impacted in his 48 years, we thank him and look forward to the Chamberlin family remaining part of our campus community.”
Dayton hired Chamberlin in January 2008 when Kelly retired after 27 seasons. Ted Kissell, then the AD, said at the time he could have faced a choice between the defensive coordinator Chamberlin and offensive coordinator Dave Whilding.
“Dave came to me and said the timing was just not right for him,” Kissell said in 2008. “He also said there was just one man for the job ... Rick Chamberlin.”
After getting the job, Chamberlin, then 50, said he didn’t plan to coach as long as Kelly.
”I’ll be 78 years old,” Chamberlin said. “I’m not a Joe Paterno. I want to give it my best in the years that I am here and be able to leave someday like coach Kelly and say it’s in great shape.”
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