James Donald Wade (August 10, 1928 – June 7, 2007) was an American college football coach and athletics administrator. He served as the head coach at Tennessee Tech from 1968 to 1982, compiling a record of 81–78–3. Wade was also the athletic director at Tennessee Tech from 1974 to 1980.

Don Wade
Biographical details
Born(1928-08-10)August 10, 1928
DiedJune 7, 2007(2007-06-07) (aged 78)
Clemson, South Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
1950–1952Clemson
Position(s)Linebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1953–1958Clemson (freshmen)
1959–1967Clemson (OL)
1968–1982Tennessee Tech
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1974–1980Tennessee Tech
Head coaching record
Overall81–78–3
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 OVC (1972, 1975)
Awards
OVC Coach of the Year (1971–1972, 1975)

A native of Tyronza, Arkansas, Wade played college football at Clemson University as a linebacker from 1950 to 1952 for head coach Frank Howard. He served as an assistant coach at his alma mater under Howard from 1953 to 1967. Wade died on June 7, 2006, in Clemson, South Carolina.[1]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs UPI#
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (Ohio Valley Conference) (1968–1982)
1968 Tennessee Tech 2–8 2–5 6th
1969 Tennessee Tech 5–5 4–3 T–3rd
1970 Tennessee Tech 4–6 2–5 T–6th
1971 Tennessee Tech 8–2 5–2 T–2nd
1972 Tennessee Tech 10–2 7–0 1st L Grantland Rice 8
1973 Tennessee Tech 2–8–1 1–6 T–7th
1974 Tennessee Tech 6–5 4–3 4th
1975 Tennessee Tech 8–3 6–1 1st
1976 Tennessee Tech 8–3 5–2 2nd
1977 Tennessee Tech 9–2 5–2 2nd
1978 Tennessee Tech 5–6 4–2 3rd
1979 Tennessee Tech 1–8–2 0–5–1 7th
1980 Tennessee Tech 4–7 1–6 8th
1981 Tennessee Tech 6–5 4–4 T–4th
1982 Tennessee Tech 3–8 1–6 8th
Tennessee Tech: 81–78–3 51–52–1
Total: 81–78–3
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "James "Don" Wade". The Greenville News. Greenville, South Carolina. June 8, 2006. p. 6B. Retrieved January 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com  .