Oliver Pough facts for kids
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Pough in 2022
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| Playing career | |
|---|---|
| 1971–1974 | South Carolina State |
| Position(s) | Offensive lineman |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1976–1978 | Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS (SC) (assistant) |
| 1979–1980 | South Carolina State (DL) |
| 1981–1985 | South Carolina State (DC/DL) |
| 1986–1988 | Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS (SC) (AHC) |
| 1989–1993 | Keenan HS (SC) |
| 1994–1996 | Fairfield Central HS (SC) |
| 1997–2001 | South Carolina (RB) |
| 2002–2023 | South Carolina State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 151–93 (college) |
| Bowls | 1–0 |
| Tournaments | 0–4 (NCAA D-I playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 3 Black college football national (2008, 2009, 2021) 8 MEAC (2004, 2008–2010, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2021) |
|
| Awards | |
| 4× MEAC Coach of the Year (2008, 2009, 2019, 2021) | |
Oliver Wendell "Buddy" Pough III is a famous American football coach. He used to coach college football teams. From 2002 until he retired in 2023, he was the head football coach at South Carolina State University.
Coach Pough led the South Carolina State Bulldogs football team to many victories. They won eight championships in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). These wins happened in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2019, and 2021.
He is also a member of two important groups. These are the MEAC Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame.
Contents
Buddy Pough's Coaching Career
Buddy Pough had a long and successful career in football. He started as a player before becoming a coach. He played as an Offensive lineman for South Carolina State from 1971 to 1974.
Early Coaching Days
After playing, Coach Pough began his coaching journey. He worked as an assistant coach at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. Later, he coached defensive linemen at South Carolina State. He also served as a Defensive Coordinator there.
He spent several years coaching high school teams. He coached at W. J. Keenan High School and Fairfield Central High School. These experiences helped him prepare for bigger roles.
Coaching at South Carolina
From 1997 to 2001, Coach Pough worked at the University of South Carolina. He coached the running backs for the Gamecocks. This was a big step in his career.
Leading the Bulldogs
In 2002, Buddy Pough returned to South Carolina State. This time, he became the head coach of the Bulldogs. He stayed in this role for 22 years, until his retirement in 2023.
Under his leadership, the Bulldogs became a very strong team. They won many games and championships. His overall record as a college coach was 151 wins and 93 losses.
Major Achievements
Coach Pough's teams won the MEAC championship eight times. These wins showed how consistent and strong his teams were. He also led the Bulldogs to three Black college football national championships. These national titles were in 2008, 2009, and 2021.
He was recognized as the MEAC Coach of the Year four times. This award shows how much other coaches and players respected his work. He won it in 2008, 2009, 2019, and 2021.
Retirement
Coach Pough retired from coaching in 2023. He left behind a great legacy at South Carolina State. He is remembered as one of the most successful coaches in the school's history.
