Charles Bates (American football)

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Charles Bates
Biographical details
Bornc. 1934
Playing career
c. 1955Alabama A&M
1957–1958Fort Meade
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1963–1965Kentucky State (defensive coach)
1966Southern (defensive coach)
1967–1969Kentucky State
1972–1977Southern
Head coaching record
Overall43–42–3
Bowls1–0

Charles Adams Bates (born c. 1934) is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Kentucky State University from 1967 to 1969 and Southern University from 1972 to 1977.

Early life and playing career[edit]

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Bates played college football at Alabama A&M College—now known as Alabama A&M University and then in 1957 and 1958 with the Fort Meade football team while serving in the United States Army.[1] He signed with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) as a rookie in 1959.[2]

Coaching career[edit]

Bates began his coaching career at the high school level, at West Highland in Fayette, Alabama and Westfield in Birmingham.[1] He spent three seasons as a defensive assistant coach at Kentucky State University before being hired in the same capacity at Southern University in 1966.[3] After a year at Southern, Bates returned to Kentucky State at head football coach.[4]

In 1972, Bates succeeded Alva Tabor as Southern University's head football coach.[5] After a 2–7–1 start to his career at Southern in 1982, Bates and the Jaguars posted two eight-win seasons (1974, 1976) and a nine win-season in 1975 in which Southern captured a share of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) title and won the Pelican Bowl over South Carolina State.[6] After a rough 3–3–1 start to the 1977 season, Bates stepped down mid-season, and Ken Tillage took over coaching duties for the rest of the season.[7]

Head coaching record[edit]

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs AP#
Kentucky State Thorobreds (NCAA College Division independent) (1967–1969)
1967 Kentucky State 5–3–1
1968 Kentucky State 2–7
1969 Kentucky State 0–8
Kentucky State: 7–18–1
Southern Jaguars (Southwestern Athletic Conference) (1972–1977)
1972 Southern 2–8–1 1–5 T–5th
1973 Southern 6–4 3–3 4th
1974 Southern 8–3 3–3 4th
1975 Southern 9–3 4–2 T–1st W Pelican
1976 Southern 8–3 4–2 T–2nd
1977 Southern 3–3–1 1–3–1
Southern: 36–24–2 16–18–1
Total: 43–42–3

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Thomas, Bennie (September 4, 1966). "Two Additions Announced To Jaguar Coaching Staff". Alexandria News Leader. Alexandria, Louisiana. p. 2B. Retrieved December 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  2. ^ "Bears Sign Linemen". Lead Daily Call. Lead, South Dakota. United Press International. June 9, 1959. p. 3. Retrieved December 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  3. ^ Nunn, Bill Jr. (June 25, 1966). "Change of Pace Coaching Staff". Pittsburgh Courier. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. p. 14. Retrieved December 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  4. ^ Scott, Grafton Jr. (August 18, 1967). "Bates Is Returning To Kentucky State". Alabama Journal. Montgomery, Alabama. p. 18. Retrieved December 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  5. ^ "Charlie Bates Head Mentor At Southern". The Crowley Post-Signal. Crowley, Louisiana. United Press International. February 11, 1972. p. 5. Retrieved December 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  6. ^ "Nearly called off, Pelican Bowl played; Southern wins". Sports. Jet. January 22, 1976. p. 48. Retrieved June 13, 2017 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "New Coach for Southern U.". The New York Times. January 7, 1978. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
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