Dueling Runs in the Family

From The (Columbia, S.C.) State of Sept. 2, 2005:

Distant kin await close encounter

Opposing coordinators pronounce Koenning differently but share language of X’s and O’s

By JON SOLOMON

Staff Writer

[snip]

Vic Koenning’s debut as Clemson’s defensive coordinator matches him directly against kin, Texas A&M offensive coordinator Les Koenning Jr.

Saturday’s pairing intrigued Vic’s family, who conducted some research. Genealogy notes litter the home of Vic Koenning’s parents in Owasso, Okla., thanks to e-mails from Koennings around the country.

The best guess is Vic and Les are third cousins. The family believes two Koenning brothers came from Germany around 1858 and settled in Port Lavaca, Texas, located three hours southwest of Houston and three hours southeast of San Antonio.

[snip]

Vic’s last name is pronounced CONE-ing, while Les’ is pronounced “KEN-ing.” Les’ late grandfather explained to Vic why there was discrepancy in the pronunciations: Joe and Leslie Koenning got in a fight; one pulled a knife or gun, and they split up and started separate lives in Texas.

“Whether it’s entirely true or not, we don’t know,” Vic said. “It was probably my relative that got kicked. I know my dad’s side of the family is from San Antonio. Les’s stayed over in the Houston area.”

[snip]

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