Hal Mumme Revives Centenary College Football with Air Raid Offense

Hal Mumme, a name that’s basically synonymous with the Air Raid offense, is back in college football. At 73 and a half, he’s now the offensive coordinator at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. That’s a big deal—he’s the oldest full-time college football coach in America. His return marks a wild chapter for a program that just came back after a 77-year break.

Let’s talk about Mumme’s mark on the game and what he’s up to at Centenary these days.

The Evolution of the Air Raid Offense

Mumme dreamed up the Air Raid offense in places like Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and Valdosta, Georgia. His scheme changed college football by putting the spotlight on a fast-paced passing attack.

With four or five wide receivers on the field, defenses had to rethink everything. Suddenly, creative play-calling was the new normal across the country.

Key Innovations

The Air Raid offense stands out for a few big reasons:

• Spread Formation: Multiple wideouts stretch defenses from sideline to sideline.
• Quick Passes: Short throws keep the chains moving and the defense guessing.
• High Tempo: Plays come fast, and defenders barely have time to breathe.

Honestly, without Mumme’s wild ideas, the spread offense probably wouldn’t have taken over college football like it has.

Mumme’s Storied Coaching Career

Hal Mumme’s coaching path has wound through high schools in Texas and college gigs in Kentucky, Valdosta State, and Iowa Wesleyan. Along the way, he’s shaped the careers of coaches like Sonny Dykes, Lincoln Riley, Dana Holgersen, and Kliff Kingsbury.

Those guys took the Air Raid and ran with it, tweaking and expanding on Mumme’s blueprint at some of the biggest programs in the country.

Notable Achievements

He’s racked up some serious accomplishments:

• Transforming Offenses: Turning struggling teams into point-scoring machines.
• Mentoring Future Stars: Helping launch the careers of coaches who’ve hit it big.
• Innovative Play-Calling: Always pushing the envelope on offense.

Challenges at Centenary College

Centenary College only just brought football back in 2024 after decades away. With fewer than 700 students enrolled full-time, they’re basically starting from scratch.

Mumme’s arrival means they’ve got a seasoned mind running the offense, and that’s no small thing.

Current Season Struggles

The Gents, as Centenary’s team goes by, have had a rough ride this season:

• Quarterback Injuries: Four different quarterbacks have started because of injuries. That’s a lot of shuffling.
• Inconsistent Performance: At 1-6, it’s clear the rebuild won’t be easy.
• Offensive Improvement: Still, the offense is putting up almost 90 more yards per game than last year. That’s progress, even if it’s messy.

Looking Ahead

With the regular season winding down, everyone’s thinking about what’s next. Head coach Byron Dawson seems pretty upbeat about what a full offseason with Mumme could do for the team.

This stretch will matter—a lot—for recruiting and really getting the Air Raid system to click.

Recruiting and Development

Mumme’s name alone is a draw for quarterbacks and skill players looking to make a mark. Who wouldn’t want to learn from the guy who started the Air Raid?

Dawson’s got a vision here:

• Building a Competitive Team: He wants a roster that can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
• Implementing the Air Raid: The plan is to get Mumme’s system firing on all cylinders.
• Creating a Winning Culture: It’s about more than just plays—it’s building something lasting and tough.

Conclusion

Hal Mumme is back on the sidelines at Centenary College, and honestly, it’s kind of wild to see. His Air Raid offense? That thing changed college football in ways people are still talking about.

Now, he’s got the chance to shape a program that’s trying to find its footing again. The Gents face plenty of bumps along the way, but with Mumme leading, you can’t help but feel there’s some hope on the horizon.

If you’re curious about Hal Mumme’s journey or just want to dive deeper into the Air Raid legacy, check out the New York Times article.