Bennie Ellender
American football player and coach (1925–2011) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bennie Ellender Jr. (March 2, 1925 – December 22, 2011)[1][2] was an American football player and coach.[3] He served as the head football coach at Arkansas State University from 1963 to 1970 and at Tulane University from 1971 to 1975, compiling a career college football record of 79–49–4.
Biographical details | |
---|---|
Born | (1925-03-02)March 2, 1925 Sulphur, Louisiana, U.S. |
Died | December 22, 2011(2011-12-22) (aged 86) Metairie, Louisiana, U.S. |
Playing career | |
1943–1944; 1946–1947 | Tulane |
Position(s) | Quarterback, safety |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
1959 | Tulane (freshmen) |
1960–1961 | Tulane (OB) |
1962 | Arkansas State (DB) |
1963–1970 | Arkansas State |
1971–1975 | Tulane |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 79–49–4 |
Bowls | 2–2 |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Championships | |
1 NCAA College Division (1970) 3 Southland (1968–1970) | |
Awards | |
AFCA College Division Coach of the Year (1970) | |
Ellender led the Arkansas State program to three consecutive Pecan Bowl games, which was one of the regional bowl games set up for the NCAA College Division to choose a champion. His 1970 team finished 11–0 and was ranked #1 in the final polls, earning his team the College Division championship. Ellender was selected AFCA College Division Coach of the Year following the season.[4] After the 1970 season, Ellender left ASU to become head football coach at his alma mater, Tulane.