Ronald Beard

College coach infobox
Name = Ronald Beard

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Caption =
DateOfBirth =
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Sport = College football
College = Prairie View A&M University
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OverallRecord = 0-44-0 (0.000)
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CFbDWID = 4551
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Coach = Trigger
CoachYears = 1991-1994
CoachTeams = Prairie View
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Ronald Beard was the 17th head college 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 wins, 44 losses, and 0 ties. As of the conclusion of the 2007 season, this ranks him 22nd at Prairie View in total wins and 22nd at Prairie View in winning percentage (0.000). [ [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_iaa/southwestern/prairie_view_a&m/coaching_records.php Prairie View A&M University coaching records] ] [cite web|url=http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/teams/direct582.htm|title=Prairie View Agricultural & Mechanical University Directory|publisher="The Sports Network"]

Career

Beard attended Eastern Michigan University 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.Farmer, Neal. "Prairie View names Beard football coach", The Houston Chronicle. February 13, 1991. Sports Page 7.] In spring 1990, Prairie View suspended its athletic programs, which were more than $3 million in debt. Due to support from faculty, staff, and students at the school, however, the program was revived. [Dean, Richard. "Prairie View football heart beating again", The Houston Chronicle. July 19, 1991. Sports Page 5.] 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. He worked under enormous handicaps. Prairie View was the only school in its conference to not award football scholarships. [Gregorian, Vahe. "Prairie View wallows in football poverty", St. Louis Post-Dispatch. September 16, 1994. Page C3.] cite web |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1007030/3/index.htm |title=Once Upon A Time... |author=John Ed Bradley |publisher="Sports Illustrated" |date=August 28 1995 |accessdate=2008-09-20] As well, Beard and his assistants had other, non-football duties; Beard taught 28 hours a week and also coached the golf team.

According to the College Football Data Warehouse, his 0-44 lifetime record is the worst in college football history. [ [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coaching_records.php?coach=B College Football data Warehouse All-Time Coaching Records] ] His teams were outscored by 1,989 to 280 during his four years of coaching. [ [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=4551 Ronald Beard All-Time Records by Year] ] The worst loss was 92-0 to Alabama State University in 1991 and the closest game was an 8-12 home loss against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 1993. [ [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=4551&year=1991 Prairie View 1991 Football Scores] ] [ [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=4551&year=1993 Prairie View 1993 Football Scores] ] His 44 consecutive losses played a major part in the worst losing streak in NCAA history of 88 games between 1989 and 1998. [ [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0702/gallery.losingstreaks/content.4.html Sports Illustrated] Memorable Losing Streaks, Praire View A&M] Beard was removed from his position as head coach in July 1995, just prior to the start of the 1995 season. [Duarte, Joseph. "PV ousts Beard, Jacket; School reassigns football coach, AD", The Houston Chronicle. July 14, 1995. Sports page 1.]

References

External links

* [http://www.pvamu.edu/pages/104.asp Prairie View A&M University athletics website]