ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – After more than five decades on the sidelines, Dick Maloney has announced his retirement from coaching, effective at the end of February 2026, concluding a remarkable 53-year career at the collegiate and professional levels.

Maloney retires having coached 539 games, including 176 as a head coach, and having been part of 14 collegiate championship seasons throughout his distinguished career.

"I would like to personally thank Coach Maloney for his willingness to join the Augustana College football program in 2018 and bring a new energy to our football program on the defensive side," said Augustana Head Coach Steve Bell. "Coach Maloney has had an unbelievable coaching career and influenced hundreds of young men over the past 53 or so years, and I am indebted to his loyalty and commitment to our young men at Augustana College. The respect and admiration I have for Coach Maloney will be what I miss as he moves into the next chapter."

Maloney made an immediate impact upon arriving at Augustana, helping elevate the Viking defense into one of the most respected units in the CCIW and nationally. The 2023 defense ranked second in the conference in Defensive Pass Efficiency and Team Interceptions (16), led by D3 All-American defensive back Nick Harper's six interceptions. The Vikings also ranked third in the CCIW in both Rushing Defense and Scoring Defense, while posting a +18 turnover margin, good for seventh nationally.

Prior to his time in Rock Island, Maloney spent five seasons at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), serving as Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator. He was part of Liberty League championship teams in 2015 and 2017. His 2017 defense ranked sixth nationally with 23 interceptions and eighth in total takeaways (32), while the 2016 and 2015 units consistently ranked among national leaders in pass defense and overall defensive efficiency.

Maloney previously spent 19 seasons as head coach at the University of Chicago, leading the Maroons to four University Athletic Association championships and compiling 94 victories — the second-most in program history. His 1995 and 2010 teams each finished 8-2, marking the program's highest win totals since 1905.

His professional coaching experience includes three seasons (1991-93) as Offensive Line Coach for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League, where the team qualified for the playoffs each year and Maloney twice mentored the league's Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Maloney's career also includes assistant coaching roles at the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth College, Boston University and Boston College, in addition to coaching stints at Maryville College and the University at Albany. Across multiple institutions, his teams captured Ivy League and conference championships, further cementing his reputation as a championship-caliber coach and mentor.

A graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Boston with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, Maloney earned his master's degree in education from the University at Albany.

"Augustana was my first experience coaching and teaching at a small non-urban liberal arts college," Maloney said. "I appreciate the opportunities offered to me by Steve Bell, Mike Zapolski and Wes Brooks. Augustana's student-athletes are awesome to work with, and teaching allowed me to meet and appreciate the students that are non-athletes." 

Augustana College would like to thank Coach Maloney for his years of service, dedication and commitment to the Viking football program and wishes him the very best in retirement.