Jerry Hanlon has been a member of the University of Michigan community since 1969 when he came to Michigan as an assistant coach under Bo Schembechler and during that time he has done tremendous work for both the University and the University Of Michigan Club Of Greater Detroit. Because of hi tremendous service over the past 34 years, Jerry has been selected for the 2003 Distinguished Alumni Service Award.
Jerry is a native of North Bend, Ohio and was a four-sport letter winner at Taylor High School. After a stint in the Army Counter-Intelligence Corp, Jerry attended Miami University where he played halfback under Ara Parseghian. His coaching career began in the high school ranks with Canton Catholic Central, Youngstown Ursuline and Cleveland St. Edward before moving on to the University of Dayton and eventually joining forces with Bo at Miami University.
During his years at Michigan, Jerry established himself as one of the finest line coaches in the country, turning out 18 All-American linemen in his 24 years of coaching. Under his leadership, the entire University of Michigan offensive line was named MVP of the 1991 Gator Bowl in a dominating win over Mississippi. Jerry was also the quarterbacks coach from 1982 to 1987, helping Jim Harbaugh to become an All-American quarterback.
Jerry has assisted the University Of Michigan Club Of Greater Detroit in a variety of ways including serving as Master of Ceremonies twice for the Football Bust and speaking at numerous other engagements. His service both to the Club and to the University over the past 34 years has truly been outstanding.
Jerry currently lives in Ann Arbor with his wife Anne. They have 2 sons, Scott and Mickey, a daughter, Kelly. Jerry also has two grand children, Haley and Ashley, who Jerry says are the "apples of his eye".
The following distinguished alumni have been honored by the Club for devotion toward furthering
the ideals of the University of Michigan as expressed through their active leadership and participation
in all phases of the University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit Program, alumni activities and
general community affairs.
2003 Distinguished Alumni: