Ralph Carpenter (American football)

Ralph L. "Sporty" Carpenter (August 6, 1930 – February 16, 1990) was an American football and baseball coach. He served as the head football coach at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas from 1971 to 1989, compiling a record of 119–76–5. Carpenter was also the head baseball coach at Henderson State from 1970 to 1975, tallying a mark of 106–68.

Ralph Carpenter
Biographical details
Born(1930-08-06)August 6, 1930
DiedFebruary 16, 1990(1990-02-16) (aged 59)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Playing career
Football
1954–1956Henderson State
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1967–1970Henderson State (assistant)
1971–1989Henderson State
Baseball
1970–1975Henderson State
Head coaching record
Overall119–76–5 (football)
106–68 (baseball)
Bowls1–0
TournamentsFootball
1–2 (NAIA D-I playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
5 AIC (1973–1975, 1977, 1985)

Baseball
2 AIC (1973–1974)
Awards
Football
NAIA Division I Coach of the Year (1985)

A native of Hamburg, Arkansas, Carpenter played college football at Henderson State from 1954 to 1956 under head coach Duke Wells. He returned to Henderson State in 1967 as assistant football coach. Carpenter died on February 16, 1990, at a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee from complications of a liver transplant.[1]

Head coaching record

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Football

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Henderson State Reddies (Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference) (1971–1985)
1971 Henderson State 4–4–1 1–4–1 6th
1972 Henderson State 4–6 2–4 5th
1973 Henderson State 10–1 6–0 1st
1974 Henderson State 11–2 6–0 1st L NAIA Division I Semifinal
1975 Henderson State 11–1 5–1 T–1st W Bicentennial
1976 Henderson State 8–2 4–2 T–3rd
1977 Henderson State 9–2 5–1 1st
1978 Henderson State 7–2–1 4–1–1 2nd
1979 Henderson State 5–5 4–2 2nd
1980 Henderson State 5–6 2–4 T–4th
1981 Henderson State 7–3 3–3 T–3rd
1982 Henderson State 4–5–1 3–2–1 3rd
1983 Henderson State 3–7 1–5 6th
1984 Henderson State 4–6 2–4 6th
1985 Henderson State 9–3 6–1 T–1st L NAIA Division I Semifinal
1986 Henderson State 2–7–1 2–4–1 6th
1987 Henderson State 5–5 3–3 T–3rd
1988 Henderson State 4–5–1 2–3–1 T–4th
1989 Henderson State 7–4 4–2 3rd
Henderson State: 119–76–5 65–46–5
Total: 119–76–5
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Ex-HSU coach Carpenter dies". The Baxter Bulletin. Mountain Home, Arkansas. Associated Press. February 17, 1990. p. 10. Retrieved November 5, 2019 – via Newspapers.com  .
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