Leon Fuller
Biographical details | |
---|---|
Born | Nederland, Texas, U.S. | July 28, 1938
Playing career | |
1956–1958 | Tyler JC |
1959–1960 | Alabama |
Position(s) | Halfback, defensive back |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
1966–1968 | Kentucky (DB) |
1974 | West Texas State (DC) |
1975–1976 | Wyoming (DC) |
1977–1981 | Texas (DC) |
1982–1988 | Colorado State |
1989–1993 | Texas (DC) |
1994 | Denver Broncos (DB) |
1995 | Llano HS (TX) |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 25–55 (college) |
Robert Leon Fuller (July 28, 1938) is a former
Playing career
Fuller grew up in Nederland, Texas, where he attended high school and played football for Bum Phillips. Despite only weighing 135 pounds (61 kg), Fuller displayed extraordinary talent and tenaciousness as a defensive back. As a senior in high school, Fuller lived with the Phillips family, after his father was shot in a bar and his mother left town.[1]
Because of his size, Fuller was not recruited by any college, but Phillips recommended him to Floyd Wagstaff, head coach at Tyler Junior College. Fuller was awarded a scholarship and immediately became the team's most valuable player.[2] He was named All-Texas Junior College and NJCAA All-American.
Bum Phillips later recommended Fuller again to an acquainted colleague, this time
Coaching career
My goal going through that was to be a football coach because it looked like (Phillips) was having so much fun doing it.
— Leon Fuller[3]
After graduating from Alabama in 1961, Fuller became an assistant coach at
In 1982, Fuller got his first head coaching job, replacing interim coach
Returning to the high school level after 32 years, Fuller became head football coach and athletic director of the Llano Independent School District, guiding the Yellowjackets to a 9–2 record in 1995. He then retired from coaching and left Llano to take over as athletic director at the Austin Independent School District.[3] Fuller served in that capacity for eight years overseeing that district's 11 high schools and 17 junior highs, before retiring after the 2003-04 school year.
Fuller came out of retirement in 2007 to replace Gary Gaines as athletic director of the Ector County Independent School District, and then hired him as head coach.[7]
Head coaching record
College
Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colorado State Rams (Western Athletic Conference) (1982–1988) | |||||||||
1982 | Colorado State | 4–7 | 3–5 | 6th | |||||
1983 | Colorado State | 5–7 | 4–4 | T–5th | |||||
1984 | Colorado State | 3–8 | 3–5 | 7th | |||||
1985 | Colorado State | 5–7 | 4–4 | 5th | |||||
1986 | Colorado State | 6–5 | 4–4 | T–4th | |||||
1987 | Colorado State | 1–11 | 1–7 | 8th | |||||
1988 | Colorado State | 1–10 | 1–7 | T–8th | |||||
Colorado State: | 25–55 | 20–36 | |||||||
Total: | 25–55 |
References
- ^ Dallas Morning News.
- ^ ISBN 0-87611-168-1.
- ^ a b c Passmore, Lee (July 19, 2007). "Fuller ready for ECISD challenge". Midland Reporter-Telegram.
- ^ Riggs, Randy (January 14, 1989). "Horns land defensive coordinator Fuller returns to UT". Austin American-Statesman.
- ^ Burch, Jimmy (December 31, 1993). "Mackovic fires Fuller as UT aide". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Denver Post.
- ^ Gove, Chris (July 20, 2007). "High school athletics: Fuller assumes ECISD's reins". Odessa American.