Elmer Smith (American football)

Elmer Smith (September 15, 1907 – 1987) was an American football, basketball, and baseball player and coach. Smith served as the head basketball coach Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana from 1939 to 1942 before taking on the head football coaching duties at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas from 1946 to 1953.[1] After leaving Southern Arkansas, he was an assistant football coach at Texas A&M University under coaches Bear Bryant, Jim Myers, Hank Foldberg, and Gene Stallings.[2]

Elmer Smith
Biographical details
Born(1907-09-15)September 15, 1907
Casa, Arkansas, U.S.
Died1987
Playing career
Football
1927–1930Hendrix
Basketball
1927–1931Hendrix
Baseball
c. 1930Hendrix
1931New Orleans Pelicans
Position(s)Fullback (football)
Catcher (baseball)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1931–1932Hamburg HS (AR)
1933–1935Hendrix (assistant)
1936–1941Centenary (backfield)
1946–1953Magnolia A&M / Southern State
1954–1971Texas A&M (assistant)
Basketball
1939–1942Centenary
Head coaching record
Overall54–27–2 (college football)
18–2 (high school football)
Bowls1–0–1
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
3 AIC (1948, 1951–1952)

Smith was born on September 15, 1907, in Casa, Arkansas, and graduated from Danville High School in Danville, Arkansas.[3] He was a multi-sport athlete at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field, before graduating in 1931 with a bachelor's degree in economics.[4] He earned a master's degree in physical education from Peabody College. Smith began his coaching career in 1931 at Hamburg High School in Hamburg, Arkansas, where he led the football team in a record of 18–2 in two seasons. He then returned to Hendrix as an assistant coach. Smith was hired at Centenary as an assistant coach in 1936, succeeding Elza Renfro.[5] He remained at Centenary until 1942, when joined the United States Navy, reaching the rank of lieutenant commander.[6]

Head coaching record

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College football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Magnolia A&M Aggies / Southern State Muleriders (Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference) (1946–1953)
1946 Magnolia A&M 4–5 3–2 4th
1947 Magnolia A&M 9–2–1 4–2 T Cajun Bowl
1948 Magnolia A&M 8–2 6–1 T–1st W Papoose Bowl
1949 Magnolia A&M 3–7 1–6
1950 Magnolia A&M 6–4–1 3–2–1
1951 Southern State 9–1 6–0 1st
1952 Southern State 10–1 5–0 1st
1953 Southern State 5–5 2–4
Magnolia A&M / Southern State: 54–27–2 30–17–1
Total: 54–27–2
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Elmer Smith and the Renewal of Men's Sports". Southern Arkansas University. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  2. ^ "Elmer Smith". Southern Arkansas Muleriders. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  3. ^ West, John (May 18, 1963). "Goin' West". The Eagle. Bryan, Texas. p. 6. Retrieved July 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
  4. ^ "Elmer Smith". Hendrix Warriors. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  5. ^ "Elmer Smith Will Coach At Centenary". The Camden News. Camden, Arkansas. February 22, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved July 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
  6. ^ "Contribution is made to college endowment fund". El Dorado News-Times. El Dorado, Arkansas. September 27, 1974. p. 9. Retrieved July 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
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