American football player and coach (born 1938)
Al Conover (born 1938) is a former American football player and coach. Most notably, he served as head coach at Rice University from 1972 to 1975, compiling a record of 15–27–2 in four seasons before resigning to enter private business.
A native of Largo, Florida , Conover attended Largo High School , where he starred on the football squad and earned an athletic scholarship to Wake Forest University .[ 1] He spent four years on the Demon Deacon squad, protecting quarterback Norm Snead as tackle under coaches Paul Amen and Billy Hildebrand .[ 2] Returning to Largo after graduation, he served as his alma mater's head swimming coach and assistant football mentor.[ 1]
In 1963, he was hired as a graduate assistant by Florida State University head coach Bill Peterson , and later became offensive line coach.[ 3] After helping the Seminoles to a Gator Bowl appearance in 1967, Conover was hired by Y C McNease at Idaho .[ 1] When Peterson moved on to Rice University in 1971, he hired Conover as offensive coordinator . Peterson left for the Houston Oilers one season later, and Conover was selected as his successor.[ 4]
In his first year as Rice head coach, he guided the Owls to a 5–5–1 record, the program's best since 1963.[ 5] Known for his flamboyance, he brought a coffin onto the practice field to "bury" the Owls' mistakes during the 1973 season.[ 5] Following a 3–8 season in 1975, Conover resigned to enter private business.[ 6]
Head coaching record
† 3–8 in 1975 and 15–27–2 overall per NCAA due to forfeit win over Mississippi State.[ 7]
References
^ a b c "Idaho Hires Al Conover" , St. Petersburg Times , January 19, 1968 .
^ "Deacons Put Final Touch On Grid Plans" , The Dispatch , November 26, 1960 .
^ Robarts, Harry (December 16, 1967), "Talent Hunt Plane Waits On Peterson" , St. Petersburg Times .
^ "Conover Named Rice Grid Coach" , Reading Eagle , January 9, 1972 .
^ a b Kellum, B. F. (September 2, 1973), "A Surprise Every Day: Rice Skipper Thinks Football Should Be Fun As Well As Work" , Park City Daily News .
^ "Rice Head Coach Al Conover Resigns" , The Palm Beach Post , January 3, 1976 .
^ "Al Conover Coaching Record | College Football at Sports-Reference.com" .
# denotes interim head coach