Haege later coached various teams at the high school, college, and professional arena football levels.
[1] One of four children (three sons, one daughter) born to Bob (a former player at Notre Dame, who was dismissed after one season) and Kathleen Haege, he liked football from a young age.
[1] He grew up in Peoria, Illinois,[2] and attended Spaulding Institute there, where he was a starter on the baseball and football teams.
[2] As a senior, Haege was named the school's athlete of the year[3] and was selected honorable mention Little All-America.
[7] While at St. Ambrose, Haege also won a regional Golden Gloves tournament and played a season of semi-professional baseball with the Holland Dutchmen.
[3] Haege was signed by the Boston Patriots of the American Football League (AFL) in 1960, but left during camp to resume studies at St.
[2] Haege left for Manistee High School in 1965 as head,[17] and led them to a 5–3 record, their first winning season in five years.
[2][18] The following year, he enrolled at Northern Michigan University (NMU) to work on a master's degree in physical education.
[1] Haege led the Redwings to a record of 3–7,[21] and brought Two Rivers, which had not won more than two games in a season in the prior decade, to a mark of 7–1–1.
[3] The next year,[1] Haege left the Redwings, but stayed at Two Rivers, and led them to an 8–0 record and the conference championship,[3] which was their first unbeaten, untied season in more than two decades.
[3] Haege took the entire team to church prior to their game against Iowa on October 11, and when they played, they won 23–17 to end the losing streak.
"[23] In May 1970, Haege accepted a position as head coach and athletic director at St. Francis High School in Traverse City, Michigan.
[3] In April 1973, the Virginia school board, which Haege had caught the ire of, voted 4–2 to not renew his contract, stating that the reasons for firing him included: "(1) incorrect marking of grades on one occasion; (2) use of language considered not fitting a representative of Virginia High School; and (3) his classroom attendance.
In Haege's first year, they were 4–4–1, scored 183 points, gave up 139 and in the words of [Mesabi Daily News] sportswriter Mike Gill: 'the Blue Devils aren't a club overladen with outstanding natural talent, just a sound, disciplined, well trained and aggressive unit' ...
"[26] The letter listed some of Haege's accomplishments in the city: "(1) forming up a pony league football program; (2) putting the [Virginia High School] Lettermen's Club back on its feet; (3) starting an early bird fitness program in the city; [and] (4) promoting high school athletes so they get notice and recognition from the college ranks.
"[26] Both sides hired lawyers to negotiate, and eventually the Virginia school board decided they would be willing to rehire him.
[3][29] Virginia won five games in 1975, and only four in 1976, before Haege was again dismissed by the school board due to an ongoing feud.
[3][30] Students again protested, writing on the city water tower "VHS Needs Haege," although this time he did not return.
[1] Haege led Biwabik to a 5–4 record in his first season,[3] and after his second left for head job at Assumption High School.
"[31] Haege also stated that he was displeased with the actions of the fans, who he said were only interested in the number of wins the team had: "You've got people who stand up in the bleachers, frothing at the mouth, screaming at the kids and the coaches.
"[31] He additionally said that at Assumption, for the first time during his coaching career, he began receiving attack letters from the fans.
[39] Following the fourth game of the 1994 Arena Football League season, Haege was named interim head coach.
[41] After the 1994 season, Haege was announced as the director of player personnel as well as the defensive coordinator and line coach of the newly formed Iowa Barnstormers.
"[45] After resigning as coach of the Fighting Pike, Haege returned to the Barnstormers as director of player personnel and defensive coordinator.
[47] The Barnstormers were demoted to AF2 in 2001, and that placed them in the same league and in a position to play the Quad City Steamwheelers, where Haege's son Frank coached.
[49][50][51] Although Art Haege predicted a victory for his team,[48] the Barnstormers ended up losing 45–7, making their record 0–3 to start the season.
[53] He was afterwards invited to remain as director of player personnel, but dismissed the offer, being greatly upset with the firing.
[61] A staff writer of the Green Bay Press-Gazette wrote that, "even though he pushed them almost mercilessly, berated them and challenged them, Haege is revered by his former players.
"[64] Haege owned the End Zone Bar & Liquor Store in Virginia, Minnesota, for a time in the 1970s.
[65] Haege died on March 5, 2007, at the age of 69, from a rupture within the wall of his aortic artery, while still a professional coach.