HBCU Legends

Legendary HBCU Football Coach Doug Porter Passes, Archie Manning Comments On His Life

Porter was the eldest member of the College Football Hall of Fame at the time of is passing.

Kyle T. Mosley

Doug Porter Passes
Doug Porter Passes / Doug Porter; NFF
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NEW ORLEANS - The HBCU sports community is deeply saddened by the loss of former football coach Doug Porter, who passed away at 95 in Grambling, LA, on Wednesday, June 4. He was born on Aug. 15, 1928, in Memphis, Tennessee.

At the time of his death, Porter was the College Football Hall of Fame's eldest living member, a testament to his enduring legacy and the profound impact on HBCU sports.

"Doug Porter was a remarkable person, crafting an impressive career in coaching and athletics administration among the HBCU ranks," National Football Foundation chairman Archie Manning said. "A great football mind, he was a top-flight recruiter who cared deeply about his players and put them in a position to succeed."

Doug Porter
Doug Porter / Credit: XULA

PORTER'S COLLEGIATE COACHING CAREER

Porter's collegiate career started in the late 1940s as the quarterback of the Xavier University Gold Rush football team. He later joined the Gold Rush as an assistant football coach from 1955-59.

Porter's head coaching experience spanned from Mississippi Valley (1961-65), Howard (1974-78), and Fort Valley State (1979-85, 1987-96). His coaching career record was 155-110-5 (.574) in 27 seasons leading HBCU football programs.

The funeral service for Doug Porter will be held at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Grambling, Louisiana, on June 15.

DOUG PORTER'S CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • College Football Hall of Fame Inductee in 2008
  • Fort Valley State Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee in 2009
  • Fort Valley State teams were 19-1-1 in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference games from 1980-83, and his 1982 team qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs
  • While at Fort Valley State, he won the SIAC Football Championships in 1982, 1983, 1991, and 1992
  • Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coach of the Year in 1974 after leading Howard in his first season to an 8-2-1 record, a tie for second in the MEAC, and a berth in the postseason Orange Blossom Classic
  • Fort Valley State's athletic director for 16 years from 1981-97.
  • Assistant football coach under Eddie Robinson at Grambling from 1966-73
  • Chairman of the Division II Football Committee
  • President of the National Athletic Steering Committee
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Kyle T. Mosley

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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