Tom Dowling (American football)

Tom Dowling
Sport(s) Football
Biographical details
Born (1940-03-08)March 8, 1940
Springfield, Kentucky
Died January 7, 2018(2018-01-07) (aged 77)
Georgetown, Kentucky
Playing career
1957–1960 Georgetown (KY)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1969–1972 Georgetown (KY) (assistant)
1973–1976 Georgetown (KY)
1977–1983 Liberty
1985–1995 Cumberland (KY)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1995–2002 Mid-South Conf. (commissioner)
Head coaching record
Overall 111–107–4

Thomas Walter Dowling (March 8, 1940 – January 7, 2018) was an American football coach best known for his stint as head coach of Liberty University in the 1970s and 1980s. A graduate of Georgetown College, Dowling coached for over 30 years on the collegiate level. His coaching Family tree includes Mike Ayers of Wofford College. Both coach Ayers’ son Travis Dowling, and his grandson Ezra Dowling are named for Coach Dowling.

Playing career

Dowling played football for Georgetown College serving as co-captain of the 1960 team. He also won the KIAC championship in the shot put while competing for the track team.[1]

Coaching career

Dowling began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Georgetown College. After four successful seasons he became the third head coach at Liberty Baptist College (now called Liberty University). He led the Flames in their transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 1981.[2]

After Liberty, he moved on to start the football program at Cumberland College (now called University of the Cumberlands) in Williamsburg, Kentucky.[3]

Later life

Dowling later served as commissioner of the Mid-South Conference from 1995 to 2002.[4] He died of pancreatic cancer on January 7, 2018.[5][6]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs NAIA#
Georgetown Tigers (NAIA) (1973–1976)
1973 Georgetown 3–6
1974 Georgetown 7–216
1975 Georgetown 6–417
1976 Georgetown 7–2–111
Georgetown: 23–14–1
Liberty Flames (NAIA Independent) (1977–1980)
1977 Liberty 3–7
1978 Liberty 4–5–1
1979 Liberty 9–1–118
1980 Liberty 7–3
Liberty Flames (NCAA Division II Independent) (1981–1983)
1981 Liberty 1–9
1982 Liberty 7–4
1983 Liberty 2–9
Liberty: 33–38–2
Cumberland Indians (NAIA) (1985–1995)
1985 Cumberland 1–9
1986 Cumberland 3–7
1987 Cumberland 7–3
1988 Cumberland 10–1
1989 Cumberland 7–3
1990 Cumberland 7–2–1
1991 Cumberland 4–5
1992 Cumberland 3–7
1993 Cumberland 2–9
1994 Cumberland 5–5
1995 Cumberland 6–4
Cumberland: 55–55–1
Total:111–107–4
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

  1. ↑ "Pikes Alpha Lambda Alumni Association Hall of Fame" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-02-25.
  2. ↑ "Liberty Football History" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-02-25.
  3. ↑ "Liberty Coaching History" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-02-25.
  4. ↑ "Georgetown College Hall of Fame Bio". Archived from the original on 2008-04-04. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  5. ↑ http://www.lex18.com/story/37211292/coach-tom-dowling-passes-away
  6. ↑ Thomas Walter Dowling
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