Ken Stephens

Kenneth Gene Stephens (born April 2, 1931) is a former American football coach.[1] He served as head coach the University of Central Arkansas from 1972 to 1981 Lamar University from 1982 to 1985, and Arkansas Tech University from 1986 to 1992, compiling a career college football coaching record of 106–106–8.[2]

Ken Stephens
Biographical details
Born (1931-04-02) April 2, 1931
Conway, Arkansas
Playing career
Football
1949–1951Arkansas State Teachers
Track and field
c. 1950Arkansas State Teachers
Position(s)Defensive back (football)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1952Crossett HS (AR) (assistant)
1953Bethany HS (OK)
1956–1957Walnut Ridge HS (AR)
1958–1959Conway HS (AR)
1960Arkansas State (assistant)
1962Morrilton HS (AR)
1963–1970North Little Rock HS (AR)
1971Arkansas (assistant)
1972–1981State College of Arkansas / Central Arkansas
1982–1985Lamar
1986–1992Arkansas Tech
2001–2004Ranger College
Golf
2000Central Arkansas
Head coaching record
Overall106–106–8 (college football)
TournamentsFootball
1–4 (NAIA D-I playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
4 AIC (1976, 1978, 1980–1981)

Stephens is a graduate of Central Arkansas, where he played as a defensive back and still holds the record for interceptions in a game with five. He began his coaching career at the high school level, winning three state championships at North Little Rock, Arkansas, before moving on the Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas as an assistant. He was appointed head coach at his alma mater in 1972. In 10 seasons, Stephens built a 67–35–6 record at Central Arkansas, third-best in school history only to his two successors, winning four Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference titles and taking the Bears to four NAIA playoffs, the first in school history.

In 1982, Stephens went on to coach at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, but resigned in 1985 after four consecutive losing seasons.[3] He then became head coach at Arkansas Tech, spending seven seasons there before retiring in 1992. Stephens returned to coaching in 2001, taking over as head coach at Ranger College in Ranger, Texas, for four seasons.

On February 28, 2014, Stephens was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.[4]

Head coaching record

College football

Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
State College of Arkansas / Central Arkansas Bears (Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference) (1972–1981)
1972 State College of Arkansas 2–7–1
1973 State College of Arkansas 6–5
1974 State College of Arkansas 6–3–2
1975 Central Arkansas 4–6–13–2–14th
1976 Central Arkansas 9–3T–1stL NAIA Division I Championship
1977 Central Arkansas 7–3
1978 Central Arkansas 9–26–01stL NAIA Division I Quarterfinal
1979 Central Arkansas 7–2–2
1980 Central Arkansas 9–16–01stL NAIA Division I Quarterfinal
1981 Central Arkansas 8–36–01stL NAIA Division I Quarterfinal
State College of Arkansas / Central Arkansas: 67–35–6
Lamar Cardinals (Southland Conference) (1982–1985)
1982 Lamar 4–71–4T–5th
1983 Lamar 2–91–57th
1984 Lamar 2–91–5T–6th
1985 Lamar 3–80–67th
Lamar: 11–333–20
Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference) (1986–1992)
1986 Arkansas Tech 6–45–2T–2nd
1987 Arkansas Tech 2–6–11–4–17th
1988 Arkansas Tech 6–43–33rd
1989 Arkansas Tech 6–33–34th
1990 Arkansas Tech 4–60–67th
1991 Arkansas Tech 0–100–67th
1992 Arkansas Tech 4–5–12–45th
Arkansas Tech: 28–38–214–28–1
Total:106–106–8
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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