A two-time first-team All-OAC selection for his work as an offensive tackle on Wittenberg’s football team, and a two-time all-region selection for his work as a defenseman on the lacrosse team, Wagner went on to coach at Muskingum and Wooster before heading into the Division 1 ranks, the last 19 years of which were spent on the football coaching staff at the University of Hawaii, including nine as the program's head coach. Wagner led the Rainbow Warriors to their first-ever NCAA Division I Top-20 finish, first-ever Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title and first-ever bowl appearance while accumulating career records of 5-1 against the Pac-10 and 2-2 against the Big 10. He was named WAC Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1992. In 2009, Wittenberg inducted Coach Wags, as he was affectionately called, into the University’s Athletics Hall of Honor.
Yet, throughout his career, which also included early stops at the University of Washington, University of Arizona, and University of Texas-El Paso, Wagner never forgot his working-class family roots in Newark, Ohio, the influences of his own coaches, or how football could provide life-changing opportunities for young people to rise out of challenging circumstances.
Because of that realization, Wagner committed himself to social justice, racial equity, community engagement, and giving back on a daily basis, supporting such organizations as Girls and Boys Clubs, Big Brothers, and even serving as the Athletic Director for Kamehameha Schools in retirement. Former players such as Rich Miano, retired defensive back for the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, and Atlanta Falcons, remembers Wagner this way:
“There’s nobody that had greater influence, what I call confluence, on me, than coach Bob Wagner,” Miano said. “He cared about us, going to school and getting good grades. I think he cared about us as people as much as he cared about us as football players. And he was somewhat of a father figure, especially for those of us that didn’t have fathers, but he was the ultimate coach.”
In memory of Wagner’s legacy, service, and advocacy, Wittenberg is pleased to present the Bob Wagner Award for Social Justice. The award will be given annually to a student-athlete for social justice efforts on any of Wittenberg’s sports teams, at the University, and/or off campus. The award will be determined through a nomination process with a small group of Wagner’s classmates, along with Wagner family representatives, and a Wittenberg representative, reviewing applications. In addition to a student recipient, a graduate assistant (GA) in the athletics program will be honored with this award provided the GA also reflects the ideals and commitment embodied by Wagner. Wittenberg will make the final decision on the official award recipients. Those nominated may also be publicized as part of the process.
The endowment to support this award is being funded by gifts from Wagner's fellow classmates and friends.