Frank Howard Biography

Frank J. Howard was an American college football player and coach, active from 1909 to 1996. Howard coached the Clemson Tigers for 30 years, achieving the 15th highest win total among college football coaches. He led Clemson to ten bowl games, an undefeated season in 1948, and several top-20 rankings during his tenure as head coach. During his time at Clemson, Howard also oversaw the athletic department, ticket sales, and served as an assistant coach for the baseball team. In 1963, after Maryland announced that African-American wide receiver Daryyl Hill was to play, Clemson threatened to leave the conference. Howard initially opposed integration but his team permitted Hill to play in the game. Michigan State teammate Jim Summers of Orangeburg, S.C., recalls that Frank Howard made sure that operation at Clemson University’s medical facility was managed, noting George as likely the first Black person to spend any sustained time on that campus.