Lee Hardman facts for kids
| Playing career | |
|---|---|
| 1968–1971 | Arkansas AM&N |
| Position(s) | Defensive back |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1982–1992 | Dollarway HS (AR) |
| 1993–2003 | Arkansas–Pine Bluff |
| 2016–2017 | Dollarway HS (AR) |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 2013–2017 | Dollarway HS (AR) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 64–57 (college) 117–38–1 (high school) |
| Tournaments | 2–2 (NAIA D-I playoffs) |
Lee Hardman is a former American football coach who led teams at both the college and high school levels. He is well-known for his time as the head football coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and for his successful coaching career at Dollarway High School.
Lee Hardman's Coaching Journey
Lee Hardman had a long and impactful career in football. He started as a player before becoming a coach. His journey took him from high school fields to college stadiums, where he helped many young athletes.
Playing Days: A Defensive Back
Before becoming a coach, Lee Hardman was a football player himself. From 1968 to 1971, he played for Arkansas AM&N. He played as a Defensive back, a position where players try to stop the opposing team's offense.
High School Success at Dollarway
Lee Hardman spent many years coaching at Dollarway High School in Arkansas. He coached the Dollarway Cardinals football team for two different periods.
First Coaching Stint: 1982–1992
His first time coaching at Dollarway High School was from 1982 to 1992. During these years, he built a very strong team. The Cardinals won many games and even several conference championships. A conference championship means they were the best team in their league.
In 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1992, his teams were recognized as national champions. This shows how incredibly successful his coaching was at Dollarway. His overall record during this period was 117 wins, 38 losses, and 1 tie. This is a fantastic record for a high school coach!
Return to Dollarway: 2016–2017
After coaching in college, Lee Hardman returned to Dollarway High School for a short time. He coached the team again in 2016 and 2017. He also served as an administrator at the school from 2013 to 2017.
College Coaching at Arkansas–Pine Bluff
Lee Hardman also coached college football. He was the head football coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff from 1993 to 2003.
Leading the Golden Lions
As the coach for the Golden Lions, he led his team for 11 seasons. His overall record at the college level was 64 wins and 57 losses. This means his teams won more games than they lost.
NAIA Division I Playoffs
During his time at Arkansas–Pine Bluff, the team played in the NAIA Division I. They even made it to the playoffs twice. In 1994, they reached the NAIA Division I Championship game. In 1995, they made it to the NAIA Division I Semifinal. This shows they were one of the top teams in their division.
Joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference
In 1997, the Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions joined the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). This is a well-known conference for historically Black colleges and universities. Hardman continued to lead the team in this new conference until 2003.
Summary of Achievements
Lee Hardman's coaching career shows his dedication to football and his ability to lead teams to success. He had a remarkable record at the high school level, including multiple national championships. His college coaching career also saw his team compete at a high level, reaching national playoffs.
