The University of Akron Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- (330) 592-2405
Marling “Newt” Engle, who is among the most respected rifle coaches in the nation, is in his 45th season as head coach of the University of Akron rifle team in 2022-23 and has guided the Zips to many conference championships in both smallbore rifle and air rifle.
In 2020, the longest-tenured coach in UA history guided his team to the highest national ranking in program history (No. 4), its best finish at the Great America Rifle Conference Championship (third), and its first appearance in the NCAA Championships.
But success is nothing new to Engle’s UA teams. In fact, it has become a part of its tradition as the program has consistently been ranked as one of the Top 15 teams in the nation.
Over the past 40-plus years, no name has become more synonymous with Akron rifle than Engle’s. During that time, he has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of exceptional student-athletes. Those athletes have helped the team gain national recognition, including a national ranking as high as No. 9. In 2015 Akron accepted the invitation to join the Great America Rifle Conference, arguably one of the toughest conferences in the nation.
Engle mentored Jenna Compton to the NCAA individual national title in air rifle in 2009 and a place on the USA Shooting National Development Team. Several other Zips have individually represented Akron at the NCAA Championships with freshman Andre Gross earning silver medalist honors in individual smallbore in 2019 with his second-place finish. Gross also earned a position on the prestigious USA Shooting National Development Team.
Engle joined the UA varsity rifle team in the fall of 1974. He won the league championship in 1975 as a sophomore and again in 1976 as a junior. He also finished in second place in his final season in 1977. Engle was appointed team captain in 1976 and 1977.
During Engle’s last year on the team, head coach Nancy Worsencroft suffered a serious injury and was unable to continue coaching the Zips. As team captain, Engle was asked to help the team compete during the 1977 season. The following season, he was offered and accepted the position as the new head coach. With the introduction of athletic scholarships, the team entered the national arena, attracting athletes from across the nation, while continuing to bring in local talent.
Toward the beginning of his coaching career, in the late 1970s, was a busy time for Engle. He not only became head coach in 1977, but also joined the UA Police Department in 1979. Over the next 30-plus years he worked his way up to the position of Assistant Chief of Police, retiring in the summer of 2011.
Starting in 1999 Engle joined and became a volunteer for USA Shooting based out of Colorado Springs. USA Shooting is the National Governing Body for Olympic style shooting in the US. As a volunteer Engle has served as a range officer and as the chief range officer at many USAS events to include the National Junior Olympic Championships, the Winter Airgun Games, the USAS Nationals held at Fort Benning as well as ISSF World Cup competitions held at Fort Benning. Engle’s fondest memory and highest honor was being the Chief Range Officer for the USA Olympic Air Rifle trials held at Camp Perry, Ohio in 2016.
In March 2006, Engle was given the National Rifle Association’s Outstanding Service to Collegiate Shooting Sports award at the national collegiate banquet held in Colorado Spring, Colo., after leading the Zips to their second-straight WIRC championship, a top finish in the NCAA sectionals and a second-place finish in the MAC championships in 2005-06. The award is given to a collegiate coach or instructor who has worked toward the growth and development of a collegiate shooting sports program, whether it be for physical education classes, recreation/leisure, club or varsity, or a combination.
Engle was appointed in 2007 as a member of the prestigious NCAA Rifle Committee charged with the responsibility of overseeing NCAA rifle competition nationwide as well as organizing and running the annual NCAA National Championship. Serving a four-year term, Engle finished his tenure on the committee in 2011 with his last two years as chairperson. Currently, Engle serves as the NCAA Rifle Committee Secretary/Rules Interpreter.
In 2008 Engle was appointed to the NRA Smallbore Rifle Committee which oversees all NRA sanctioned smallbore competition in the US as well as organizing and running the annual NRA Smallbore National Championships. Also with the NRA, Engle was appointed to the NRA Collegiate Committee in 2017 which oversees all NRA collegiate competitions involving rifle, pistol and shotgun competitions and National Championships in the US.
In February 2011, Engle was inducted into the 36th class of the University of Akron Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing him for his championship teams and as the longest serving athletics coach (all sports) in the University’s history.
In 2012 Engle created a physical education class titled “Beginning Rifle” which has been very popular among the UA student body. As an adjunct professor Engle has introduced rifle to hundreds of students through this class. Engle co-taught the class with his daughter Angela Engle Booth.
In 2015 Engle initiated Akron’s membership into the Great America Rifle Conference. This prestigious conference has eight other NCAA teams who consistently rank among the top teams in the nation.
Engle was awarded the 2015 Great America Rifle Conference coach of the year for his outstanding service. Engle currently serves as the GARC secretary-treasurer.
Engle was recognized by the Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association and presented the 2019 CRCA coach of the year award. Additionally, the NRA presented Engle with the 2019 Distinguished Collegiate Coach Award.
Born and raised on a farm in Perry Township near Canton, Ohio, Engle graduated from Perry High School in 1973. In 1984, Engle finished his bachelor’s degree in political science at UA.
In 1979, Newt married Sandy Barco Engle, his wife and best friend of over 40 years. The couple has two daughters– Angie and April, both Akron alumni and four-year letterwinners in rifle. Angie and her husband Adam Booth have four children– Amelia (10), Adeline (8), Avery (6), and Archer (4).
Angie and April both followed in their father’s footsteps, entering the Olympic sport of rifle by joining the Ashland Eagles junior rifle club where their father served as an assistant coach. With help of the three Engles, the Eagles earned many national championship titles and national records. April is the head coach of the Zips collegiate club team where she has claimed three collegiate club national championships, the last being in 2019. From back then, through today, Engle still works with junior shooters in Ohio as a trustee with the Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association assisting with many of the state association junior teams who continue to win national titles.
