Tigers Football History
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TIGERS FOOTBALL HISTORY East Central University has a storied history in Because of his efforts, Calip is the only small 1993 NATIONAL collegiate football from the Elvan George coaching college football player from Oklahoma to be named CHAMPIONSHIP era to an NAIA national championship in 1993. to the prestigious College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. The Tigers captured their first Oklahoma Collegiate Conference championship in 1930 after posting an Following the O’Neal coaching era, assistant 8-1 record under head coach Polly Wallace. Hank Walbrick took over and led the Tigers to a conference championship in 1992 and a national But it was the George coaching era, from 1959-71 title in 1993. that launched the program into major prominence. The legendary head coach guided ECU to five That magical ‘93 season, behind the running of OCC championships while posting a 90-42-5 Tyler Jack, saw the Tigers go 10-3, including three- record in 13 seasons. straight playoff victories over Western New Mexico (24-22), Arkansas-Monticello (27-0) and Glenville George, considered by many as one of the greatest State (49-35). coaches in state history, was 253-86-14 in his entire coaching career, which included a long stint The Tigers have produced 27 All-Americans, at Ada High School. including most recently tailback Gerome Castleberry (2001), linebacker Kwame Ferguson Longtime assistant coach Pat O’Neal took over the (2002), defensive end Justin Brown (2004), punter head coaching duties from George in 1972 and Curtis Lilly (2006), defensive end Armonty Bryant In 1979, both Clifford Thrift and Mark Gastineau struggled through the first three seasons out of the (2010 and 2012), cornerback Dontae Smith (2011), were drafted. Gastineau was the No. 41 overall gate, but ultimately led the Tigers to eight Oklahoma Jason Catchings (2012), Fred Gaines (2013), pick (2nd round) by the New York Jets and Thrift Intercollegiate Conference championships in 18 Travis Hening (2014) and David Moore (2015). was the No. 73 pick (3rd round) by the San Diego seasons. Chargers. Lilly, who led NCAA Division II in punting, was O’Neal ran off three straight league championships named to five All-American first teams, including The newest NFL Draft pick was Armonty Bryant from 1978-80 and four consecutive league crowns the American Football Coaches Association (2013), who was the 11th pick in the seventh round from 1984-87. (AFCA), Associated Press, Daktronics, D2Football. by the Cleveland Browns. com and Don Hansen’s Football Gazette. He also coached Brad Calip, the most decorated A year later Caleb Holley made it two years in a quarterback in school history. Calip, who played The Tigers have also produced six NFL Draft row for a Tiger in the pros after he was signed by from 1981-84, held several school records, picks. The first ECU player to be picked in the NFL the Buffalo Bills after being invited to attend mini- including touchdowns in a game (seven against Draft was Herb Kane in 1944, who was the No. camp. Northwestern Oklahoma in 1982), touchdowns 32 pick (4th round) by the New York Giants. The in a season (19 in 1984) and touchdowns in a next player selected in the draft was Ed Stewart, The next season saw Qumain Black sign a free career (49). He also held the career record for total who was the 357th overall pick (14th round) by the agency deal with the Chicago Bears, making it yardage at 6,670 yards (3,264 rushing and 3,406 Cleveland Browns in 1972. three-straight seasons that a Tiger player had passing). moved up to the NFL. In 2015, the trend continued when Kevin Bowen signed a free agency deal with the Washington Redskins. The 2016 season saw David Moore selected by the Seattle Seahawks as the eighth pick of the seventh round (No. 226 overall). The 2013 Tigers celebrate their fourth-straight KTEN Cup, after defeating Southeastern 23-16. TIGER FOOTBALL HISTORY & RECORDS 1 ALL-AMERICANS H.O. Estes Rick Thompson Ronnie James Clifford Thrift Mark Nelson Roger Hill Defensive Line --1962, 1964 Running Back --1970 Running Back -- 1975-76 Linebacker -- 1976-77 Linebacker --1979 Offensive Line --1980 Brad Calip Neal Calip Tim Kimrey Todd Graham Bryant Black Tyler Jack Quarterback -- 1984 Tight End --1984 Linebacker -- 1986 Defensive Back -- 1986 Kick Returner --1991 Running Back -- 1993 James Martin Brian Bessner Jason Lewis Chad Stanton Gerome Castleberry Kwame Ferguson Offensive Line --1995 Punt Returner -- 1996 Running Back -- 1996 Offensive Line -- 1996 Running Back -- 2001 Linebacker -- 2002 Justin Brown James Callins Curtis Lilly Armonty Bryant Dontae Smith Jason Catchings Defensive End -- 2004 Linebacker -- 2005 Punter -- 2006 DE -- 2010 & 2012 Defensive Back -- 2011 DE/OLB -- 2012 Fred Gaines Travis Hening David Moore S -- 2013 OL -- 2014 WR -- 2015 2 WWW.ECUTIGERS.COM TIGERS IN THE PROS East Central University has a storied history of sending players to the professional ranks, many of which excelled at the next level. Three of the most notable played together in the same era at ECU in Mark Gastineau (1977-78), Clifford Thrift (1975-78) and Mark Nelson (1976-79). WILBURN CAPPS (1925-28): DEWEY McCLAIN (1972-75) MARK GASTINEAU (1977-78) Capps was a multi-sports star for ECU and spent some McClain, a NAIA All-American Gastineau, a perennial Pro Bowl time in pro football. for the Tigers in 1975 as a selection at defensive end for linebacker, went on to a five- the New York Jets, led the NFL RUSTY KANE (1940-41): year career with the Atlanta in quarterback sacks for two Kane played only two seasons at ECU before spending Falcons where he appeared in seasons as well as being named two years with the NFL’s New York Giants as a tackle. He 73 games and posted one pass the 1984 NFL Defensive Player returned to ECU as a coach from 1946-48. interception. of the Year. H.O. ESTES (1959-63): McClain led ECU to a 9-3- In his two-year ECU career, he Estes was drafted as an 11th round selection (sixth 1 record, an Oklahoma compiled over 200 tackles and in round and 146th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings Intercollegiate Conference Championship and a berth in registered 27 QB sacks on his as an offensive guard, but did not make the team. He the Bicentennial Bowl in his senior season of 1975. way to earning NAIA All-American honors. Following earned NAIA All-American and all-conference awards for his senior season, Gastineau played in the 1979 Senior the Tigers in 1962. He never played on a losing team He was a free agent signee with Atlanta following his Bowl where he earned the North team’s most valuable under the direction of legendary ECU head coach Elvan senior year. lineman award. George. CLIFFORD THRIFT (1975-78) That led to Gastineau being the first NAIA player selected TOMMY BELL (1960-65): Thrift, a three-time NAIA in the 1979 NFL draft. He was a second-round pick (13th Bell attended the Pittsburgh Steelers’ training camp as a All-American (two first team in the round and 41st overall) by the Jets. running back in 1965. awards), played on three NFL teams – San Diego JERRY COMPTON (1977-80): GARY CRAIN (1960-65): Chargers, Los Angeles Compton played with the Canadian Crain attended the Miami Dolphins’ training camp as a Rams and Chicago Bears. Football League’s Calgary fullback in 1965. He also picked up a Super Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts Bowl ring during his stint as before spending some time with the CHARLES KENEIPP (1960-65): a member of the 1985 World NFL’s Denver Broncos in 1981. Keneipp attended the Houston Oilers’ training camp as Champion Bears. a center in 1965. At ECU, Thrift earned NAIA ROY PECK (1962): First Team All-American Peck played with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1963, awards in 1976 and 1977 as well as a Second Team Oakland Raiders in 1964 and Edmonton Eskimos and honor in his senior season of 1977. Also, he was a JUAN JOHNSON (1980-81) Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football three-time all-conference selection. He held the ECU Johnson was drafted by the Arizona Outlaws of the League in 1965. career record for tackles with 272. In 1978, he posted a United States Football League and the Minnesota whopping 173 total tackles, 62 of which were solo efforts. Vikings of the NFL. He was with the Vikings for two years and went on to training camp with the San Diego ED STEWART (1971): Thrift was a third-round pick (17th in round and 73rd Chargers in 1986. Stewart was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the overall) by the Chargers in 1979. 1972 NFL draft. DERICK BOWERS (1980-82): MARK NELSON (1976-79) Bowers is currently an NFL referee. Some of his Nelson was a NAIA First Team All-American and All- officiating highlights include Super Bowl 43 along District 9 pick in 1979 and earned all-conference awards with five other NFL postseason assignments. He has twice at linebacker, despite not playing any high school also officiated the Big 12 Championship, Fiesta Bowl football. National Championship, Arena Bowl and World Bowl. As a defensive back at ECU, he was a second team all- He went on to play for the Canadian Football League’s conference pick as a senior in 1982 as he led the team in Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders. broken up passes with eight. Bowers spent one season at the University of Oklahoma before coming to ECU. Since his playing days, Nelson has been a full time assistant coach at various collegiate and professional teams.