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.

Bennie Ellender
Ellender pictured in Jambalaya 1976, Tulane yearbook
Biographical details
Born(1925-03-02)March 2, 1925
Sulphur, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedDecember 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)
1959Tulane (freshmen)
1960–1961Tulane (OB)
1962Arkansas State (DB)
1963–1970Arkansas State
1971–1975Tulane
Head coaching record
Overall79–49–4
Bowls2–2
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.

Head coaching record edit

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Arkansas State Indians (NCAA College Division independent) (1963)
1963 Arkansas State 2–6
Arkansas State Indians (Southland Conference) (1964–1970)
1964 Arkansas State 7–0–2 2–0–2 2nd
1965 Arkansas State 6–3 1–3 5th
1966 Arkansas State 7–2 2–2 T–3rd
1967 Arkansas State 4–5 2–2 3rd
1968 Arkansas State 7–3–1 3–0–1 1st L Pecan 14 15
1969 Arkansas State 8–1–1 4–0 1st W Pecan 5 7
1970 Arkansas State 11–0 4–0 1st W Pecan 1 1
Arkansas State: 52–20–4 18–7–3
Tulane Green Wave (NCAA University Division / Division I independent) (1971–1975)
1971 Tulane 3–8
1972 Tulane 6–5
1973 Tulane 9–3 L Astro-Bluebonnet 15 20
1974 Tulane 5–6
1975 Tulane 4–7
Tulane: 27–29
Total: 79–49–4
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References edit

  1. ^ "Bennie Ellender Obituary".
  2. ^ "Former Tulane football player, coach Bennie Ellender dies at age 86". Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  3. ^ "Former Arkansas State, Tulane Coach Dies - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana". Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  4. ^ AFCA Coach of the Year | Coach and Athletic Director | Find Articles at BNET.com