Fred Akers

Fred Akers (March 17, 1938 – December 7, 2020) was an American college football player and coach. He served as head football coach at the University of Wyoming (1975–1976), the University of Texas at Austin (1977–1986), and Purdue University (1987–1990), compiling a career college football record of 108–75–3.

Fred Akers
Biographical details
Born(1938-03-17)March 17, 1938
Blytheville, Arkansas
DiedDecember 7, 2020(2020-12-07) (aged 82)
Playing career
1958–1959Arkansas
Position(s)Halfback, kicker, punter
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1963–1964Edinburg HS (TX)
1965Lubbock HS (TX)
1966–1974Texas (co-OC)
1975–1976Wyoming
1977–1986Texas
1987–1990Purdue
1999Shreveport Knights
Head coaching record
Overall108–75–3 (college)
26–12–1 (high school)
Bowls2–8
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
WAC (1976)
2 SWC (1977, 1983)

Coaching career

Akers' notable accomplishments as head coach at Texas include national title chances in 1977 and 1983.[1] In both of those years, Texas went undefeated in the regular season only to lose in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Akers coached Earl Campbell in his Heisman Trophy-winning 1977 season.

Akers received criticism from those who believed he failed to match the standard set by previous head coach Darrell Royal. However, much of that was mitigated by an impressive overall record and a winning mark against Barry Switzer of the Oklahoma Sooners, who was 3–0–1 against Texas before Akers came along. However, in Akers' last five years he struggled against Oklahoma, going 1–3–1, and against Texas A&M, losing his last three games to the Aggies by an average margin of 23 points. Akers drew ire from the Texas faithful for losing bowl games at the end of four consecutive seasons (1982–1985). During his tenure in 1978, Akers was lampooned by future Bloom County creator Berke Breathed, whose student strip The Academia Waltz appeared in the school newspaper.

In 1986, after notching Texas' first losing record in 30 years, Akers left to become the head football coach at Purdue University, replacing Leon Burtnett.[2] The Akers' hiring caused starting quarterback Jeff George to transfer, due to Akers' running style offense as compared to Burtnett's passing offense.[2] At Purdue, Akers was not nearly as successful as he had been at Texas; his teams only won 12 games in four years, and after the worst season in Purdue's history in 1990 amidst discipline problems, Akers was asked to resign.[3] Akers was rumored as a candidate for the Baylor University job in 1993, that ultimately went to Chuck Reedy, but the Purdue post proved to be his final college coaching post.

In 1999, Akers served as head coach of the Shreveport Knights in the short-lived professional Regional Football League.[4]

Personal life

Akers was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. In August 2008, Akers lived in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. Fred Akers died on December 7, 2020. He was 82 years old.[5]

Head coaching record

College
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Wyoming Cowboys (Western Athletic Conference) (1975–1976)
1975 Wyoming 2–91–67th
1976 Wyoming 8–46–1T–1stL Fiesta
Wyoming: 10–13
Texas Longhorns (Southwest Conference) (1977–1986)
1977 Texas 11–18–01stL Cotton54
1978 Texas 9–36–2T–2ndW Sun99
1979 Texas 9–36–23rdL Sun1312
1980 Texas 7–54–4T–4thL Astro-Bluebonnet
1981 Texas 10–1–16–1–12ndW Cotton42
1982 Texas 9–37–12ndL Sun1817
1983 Texas 11–18–01stL Cotton55
1984 Texas 7–4–15–3T–3rdL Freedom
1985 Texas 8–46–2T–2ndL Bluebonnet
1986 Texas 5–64–46th
Texas: 86–31–260–19–1
Purdue Boilermakers (Big Ten Conference) (1987–1990)
1987 Purdue 3–7–13–5T–6th
1988 Purdue 4–73–56th
1989 Purdue 3–82–68th
1990 Purdue 2–91–7T–8th
Purdue: 12–31–19–23
Total:108–75–3
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

RFL
TeamYearRegular SeasonPostseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
SHRV1999 350.3755th––––
Total350.375–––
Overall Total350.375RFL Championships (0)

References
  1. "THE STATESMAN INTERVIEW: FRED AKERS". Austin American-Statesman. September 15, 2015.
  2. "Purdue, Terps hire coaches". Eugene Register-Guard. December 11, 1986. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  3. "Akers resigns Purdue football coaching post". Bangor Daily News. November 29, 1990. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  4. Vernellis, Brian (April 7, 1999). "Akers commands respect with Knights". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 19. Retrieved January 25, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
  5. "Where are They Now?: Fred Akers".
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