Ronald Beard
Encyclopedia
Ronald Beard is a former American football
coach. He was the 17th head football coach for the Prairie View A&M University Panthers
located in Prairie View, Texas
. He held the position for four seasons, from 1991 until 1994. His career coaching record at Prairie View was 0–44, giving him the worst record for a full-time head coach in college football
history.
and graduated in 1973. Following graduation, he took a job at Central State University
and served as assistant coach and defensive coordinator of the school's football team until 1977. Leaving Central State, he moved to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
, working as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator until 1983. He moved to Prairie View in 1984 and began work as an assistant coach. He received a master's degree in physical education from Prairie View in 1986. In spring 1990, Prairie View suspended all athletic programs except track and field after it was discovered the athletic department was $3 million in debt, in part due to expense-report fraud by Beard's then-boss, Haney Catchings
. Due to support from faculty, staff, and students at the school, however, the program was revived. Beard was named the head coach of the school's resurrected football team after Prairie View's first choice, Luther Booker, accepted the job, but resigned in February 1991 before playing a single game.
The Panthers' game uniforms were hand-me-down practice gear from the Houston Oilers, and were reportedly never washed. As well, Beard and his assistants had other, non-football duties; Beard taught 28 hours a week and also coached the golf team. Beard later said that due to the difficulties he faced, he was effectively coaching an intramural or club team at the Division I level.
According to the College Football Data Warehouse, his 0–44 lifetime record is the worst in college football history. His teams were outscored by 1,989 to 280 during his four years of coaching. The worst loss was 92–0 to Alabama State
in 1991 and the closest game was an 12–8 home loss against Arkansas-Pine Bluff
in 1993. His 44 consecutive losses were part of Prairie View's 80-game losing streak from 1989 to 1998, the longest in NCAA history. Beard was removed from his position as head coach in July 1995, just prior to the start of the 1995 season.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
coach. He was the 17th head football coach for the Prairie View A&M University Panthers
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University is a historically black university located in Prairie View, Texas and is a member of the Texas A&M University System. PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 master’s degrees and four doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools...
located in Prairie View, Texas
Prairie View, Texas
Prairie View is a city in Waller County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,410 at the 2000 census.Prairie View A&M University is located in the city.-Geography:Prairie View is located at ....
. He held the position for four seasons, from 1991 until 1994. His career coaching record at Prairie View was 0–44, giving him the worst record for a full-time head coach in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
history.
Career
Beard attended Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...
and graduated in 1973. Following graduation, he took a job at Central State University
Central State University
Central State University, commonly referred to as "C-State", is a historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is the only public HBCU in Ohio.-History:...
and served as assistant coach and defensive coordinator of the school's football team until 1977. Leaving Central State, he moved to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a land-grant university located in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest publicly funded historically black college in the state of North Carolina.NC A&T is a constituent institution of the University of North...
, working as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator until 1983. He moved to Prairie View in 1984 and began work as an assistant coach. He received a master's degree in physical education from Prairie View in 1986. In spring 1990, Prairie View suspended all athletic programs except track and field after it was discovered the athletic department was $3 million in debt, in part due to expense-report fraud by Beard's then-boss, Haney Catchings
Haney Catchings
Haney Catchings is a former American football coach in the United States. His career record was 16 wins, 39 losses, and 1 tie...
. Due to support from faculty, staff, and students at the school, however, the program was revived. Beard was named the head coach of the school's resurrected football team after Prairie View's first choice, Luther Booker, accepted the job, but resigned in February 1991 before playing a single game.
Losing streak
Beard has the dubious distinction of being the only head football coach at any major college to coach for four years without a single win. However, he worked under enormous handicaps that made it impossible for him to field a competitive team. Prairie View was the only school in its conference to not award football scholarships, largely because a request for donations from alumni only got 150 responses out of 30,000 letters sent.The Panthers' game uniforms were hand-me-down practice gear from the Houston Oilers, and were reportedly never washed. As well, Beard and his assistants had other, non-football duties; Beard taught 28 hours a week and also coached the golf team. Beard later said that due to the difficulties he faced, he was effectively coaching an intramural or club team at the Division I level.
According to the College Football Data Warehouse, his 0–44 lifetime record is the worst in college football history. His teams were outscored by 1,989 to 280 during his four years of coaching. The worst loss was 92–0 to Alabama State
Alabama State Hornets football
The Alabama State Hornets are the college football team representing the Alabama State University. The Hornets play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.-Alumni in the NFL:...
in 1991 and the closest game was an 12–8 home loss against Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions football
The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions are the college football team representing the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The Golden Lions play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.-Alumni in the NFL:...
in 1993. His 44 consecutive losses were part of Prairie View's 80-game losing streak from 1989 to 1998, the longest in NCAA history. Beard was removed from his position as head coach in July 1995, just prior to the start of the 1995 season.