| Savannah State Tigers football | |
|---|---|
 | |
| First season | 1902; 123 years ago (1902) |
| Athletic director | Opio Mashariki |
| Head coach | Aaron Kelton 4th season, 16–24 (.400) |
| Stadium | Ted Wright Stadium (capacity: 13,500) |
| Year built | 1967 |
| Location | Savannah, Georgia |
| NCAA division | Division II |
| Conference | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) |
| All-time record | 491–567–18 (.465) |
| Conference titles | |
| 12 (since 1940) | |
| Consensus All-Americans | 10 |
| Colors | Burnt orange and reflex blue[1] |
| Marching band | Savannah State Marching Tiger Band |
| Website | ssuathletics.com |
TheSavannah State Tigers football team representsSavannah State University incollege football. The Tigers are members of theSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).[2] The football team is traditionally the most popular sport at Savannah State and home games are played atTed A. Wright Stadium inSavannah, Georgia.
After moving to theNCAADivision I FCS in 2000, the Tigers compiled a record of 80–137.[3] While in the FCS, the team competed in theMid-Eastern Athletic Conference. In 2019, the Tigers moved back toNCAA Division II and rejoined the SIAC. Savannah State has played football since 1902, though they did not field a team in 1943 to 1945. Through the2018 season, the Tigers have compiled an all-time record of 491–567–18 (.465).[3]
The program's largest margin of victory was 87 points in an 87–0 victory overMiles College in 1992. The largest margin of defeat was 98 points against Bethune-Cookman College in 1953 (Bethune-Cookman 98, Savannah State 0).[4] Prior to a game against theFlorida State Seminoles in 2012, the Seminoles were installed as 70.5 point favorites, reportedly making Savannah State the biggest underdogs in any college football game ever.[5]
The team regularly participates in one or moreblack football classics each season, including the CSRA Football Classic and the Joe Turner Classic. The team has previously participated in theGateway Classic, theMiami Classic, thePalmetto Capital City Classic, and theCircle City Classic.
| Conference | Joined | Left |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | 1915 | 1928 |
| Southeastern Athletic Conference | 1929 | 1961 |
| Independent | 1962 | 1968 |
| Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) | 1969 | 1999 |
| NCAA Division I-AA/FCS independent | 2000 | 2009 |
| Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) | 2010 | 2018 |
| Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) | 2019 |
No team: 1916–1922, 1924, 1943–1945
On September 8, 2010, Savannah State University was confirmed as a full member of theMid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), making the Tigers eligible to participate in all conference championships and earn the conference's automatic berth to NCAA postseason competition in all sponsored sports.[6]
The Tigers wereSoutheastern Athletic Conference champions in 1938, 1948, 1950, and 1956.[7][8]The team's only playoff appearance occurred in 1992 The Tigers, led by head coachBill Davis, were defeated byJacksonville State in the first round of theNCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs, 41–16.
NCAAI-AAMEAC NCAAI-AAIndependent SIAC (NCAADivision II) NCAADivision III NAIA Southeastern
| Season | Wins | Losses | Ties | Conference record | Head coach | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7 | 3 | 0 | Shawn Quinn | |||
| 2013 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 3-5 | Steve Davenport,Corey Barlow (Interim) | ||
| 2012 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 1-7 | Steve Davenport | ||
| 2011 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 1-7 | Steve Davenport | ||
| 2010 | 1 | 10 | 0 | Julius Dixon (interim) | |||
| 2009 | 2 | 8 | 0 | Robert Wells | [9] | ||
| 2008 | 5 | 7 | 0 | Robert Wells | [9] | ||
| 2007 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Theo Lemon | [10] | ||
| 2006 | 2 | 9 | 0 | Theo Lemon | Savannah State University football program was placed on probation for three years by the NCAA in 2006. Prior to moving to Division I - FCS the team compiled a 97-108-4 record in NCAA Division II (1981–2000), a 15-20-0 record in NCAA Division III (1973–1980) and a 1-1-0 record as a member of the NAIA. | [11][12] | |
| 2005 | 0 | 11 | 0 | Richard Basil | [13] | ||
| 2004 | 2 | 8 | 0 | Richard Basil | [13] | ||
| 2003 | 0 | 12 | 0 | Kenneth Pettiford Richard Basil | [13] | ||
| 2002 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Kenneth Pettiford | [13] | ||
| 2001 | 2 | 7 | 0 | Bill Davis | [13][14] | ||
| 2000 | 2 | 8 | 0 | Bill Davis | [13][14] | ||
| 1999 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 3-4 | Steven Wilks | [15] | |
| 1998 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 7-2 | Daryl McNeill | Savannah State placed on four years probation and scholarships reduced in six sports | [16][17] |
| 1997 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 2-6 | Daryl McNeill | [16] | |
| 1996 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 5-4 | Wendell Avery | [18] | |
| 1995 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4-4 | Wendell Avery | [18] | |
| 1994 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5-3 | Joseph Crosby | [19] | |
| 1993 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 6-2-0 | Joseph Crosby | [19] | |
| 1992 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 6-2 | Bill Davis | Lost in first round of NCAA Division II playoffs | [14] |
| 1991 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4-3 | Bill Davis | [14] | |
| 1990 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 5-2 | Bill Davis | [14] | |
| 1989 | 10 | 1 | 0 | Bill Davis | [14][20] | ||
| 1988 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 6-1 | Bill Davis | [14][20] | |
| 1987 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 4-3 | Bill Davis | [14] | |
| 1986 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 5-3 | Bill Davis | [14] | |
| 1985 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 3-4 | Frank Ellis | [21] | |
| 1984 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 2-5-0 | Frank Ellis | [22] | |
| 1983 | 4 | 7 | 0 | Frank Ellis | [22] | ||
| 1982 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 2-4 | Frank Ellis | [22] | |
| 1981 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 2-3 | Frank Ellis | [22] | |
| 1980 | 5 | 5 | 0 | Frank Ellis | [22] | ||
| 1979 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4-1-0 | Frank Ellis | [23] | |
| 1978 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 4-3 | Frank Ellis | [23] | |
| 1977 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4-2 | Frank Ellis | [23] | |
| 1976 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0-6 | John H. Myles | [23] | |
| 1975 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 2-3 | John H. Myles | [23] | |
| 1974 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 3-2 | John H. Myles | [24] | |
| 1973 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 2-4 | John H. Myles | [24] | |
| 1972 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4-1 | John H. Myles | [24] | |
| 1971 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 4-1 | John H. Myles | [24] | |
| 1970 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4-1 | John H. Myles | [24] | |
| 1969 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3-2 | John H. Myles | [25] | |
| 1968 | 5 | 5 | 0 | Leo Richardson | [25] | ||
| 1967 | 8 | 2 | 0 | Leo Richardson | [25] | ||
| 1966 | 5 | 5 | 0 | Leo Richardson | [25] | ||
| 1965 | 4 | 6 | 0 | Leo Richardson | [25] | ||
| 1964 | 4 | 6 | 0 | Leo Richardson | [26] | ||
| 1963 | 1 | 9 | 0 | Leo Richardson | [26] | ||
| 1962 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 2-3 | Richard K. Washington | [26] | |
| 1961 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 3-2-0 | Richard K. Washington | [26] | |
| 1960 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3-2 | Richard K. Washington | [26] | |
| 1959 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4-1-0 | Richard K. Washington | [27] | |
| 1958 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 5-0 | Richard K. Washington | [27] | |
| 1957 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3-2-0 | Richard K. Washington | [27] | |
| 1956 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 4-1 | Ross F. Pearly | Southeastern Athletic Conference Co-Champions | [7][8][27] |
| 1955 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 3-2-0 | Ross F. Pearly | [27] | |
| 1954 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 1-5 | Ross F. Pearly | [28] | |
| 1953 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 2-3 | Albert Frazier | [28] | |
| 1952 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 1-4 | John H. Martin | [28] | |
| 1951 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 3-2-0 | John H. Martin | [28] | |
| 1950 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 4-0-0 | John H. Martin | Southeastern Athletic Conference Champions | [7][8][28] |
| 1949 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3-1 | Theodore A. "Ted" Wright | [29] | |
| 1948 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 4-1 | Theodore A. "Ted" Wright | Southeastern Athletic Conference Champions | [7][8][29] |
| 1947 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2-3-0 | Theodore A. "Ted" Wright | [29] | |
| 1946 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6-1-0 | John W. Myles | [29] | |
| 1942 | 5 | 2 | 0 | John W. Myles | [29] | ||
| 1941 | 4 | 3 | 0 | W. McKinley King | [29] | ||
| 1940 | 4 | 3 | 0 | W. McKinley King | [29] | ||
| 1939 | 6 | 0 | 0 | Arthur Dwight | [30] | ||
| 1938 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Arthur Dwight | Southeastern Athletic Conference Champions | [8][30] | |
| 1937 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Arthur Dwight | [30] | ||
| 1936 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Arthur Dwight | [30] | ||
| 1935 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Arthur Dwight | [30] | ||
| 1934 | 2 | 4 | 0 | Richard Richardson | [31] | ||
| 1933 | 5 | 1 | 0 | Richard Richardson | [31] | ||
| 1932 | 4 | 2 | 0 | Richard Richardson | [31] | ||
| 1931 | 3 | 3 | 0 | Richard Richardson | [31] | ||
| 1930 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Richard Richardson | [31] | ||
| 1929 | 4 | 2 | 0 | Richard Richardson | [32] | ||
| 1928 | 3 | 3 | 0 | W.P. Tucker | [32] | ||
| 1927 | 3 | 3 | 0 | W.P. Tucker | [32] | ||
| 1926 | 2 | 4 | 0 | W.P. Tucker | [32] | ||
| 1925 | 6 | 0 | 0 | W.P. Tucker | [32] | ||
| 1923 | 6 | 0 | 0 | W.P. Tucker | [33] | ||
| 1915 | 3 | 3 | 0 | W.P. Tucker | [34] | ||
| Totals | 11 | 74 | 0 | NCAADivision I-AAIndependent results[13] | |||
| NCAADivision II results | |||||||
| NCAADivision III results | |||||||
| 44 | 72 | 11 | NAIA results | ||||
| 253 | 381 | 28 | Regular season results | ||||
| 0 | 1 | 0 | Playoff results | ||||
| 253 | 383 | 28 | All games including playoffs | ||||
The Tigers have retired only one number.
| Savannah State Tigers retired numbers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Player | Pos. | Tenure | Ref. |
| 2 | Shannon Sharpe | TE | 1986–1989 | [35] |
Some notable Savannah State football players and coaches include:
| Name | Class year | Position | Notability | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Aycock | 1993 | Offensive lineman | Head football coach atJohnson C. Smith University | [36] |
| Eric Brown | 1989 | Cornerback/Safety | formerNFL player with theDallas Cowboys | [37] |
| Chadrick Cone | 2006 | Running Back | Signed by theGeorgia Force of theArena Football League in 2006 and theColumbus Lions of theAmerican Indoor Football Association in 2009 | [38][39] |
| Bobby Curtis | 1987 | Linebacker | formerNFL player with theWashington Redskins andNew York Jets | [38] |
| Ken Dawson | 1981 | Running Back | 10th round pick by theSeattle Seahawks; #252 overall pick | [40][41][42] |
| Roy Ellison | 1987 | Guard/Center | NFL official and umpire duringSuper Bowl XLIII | [43] |
| Aaron Fields | 2000 | Defensive End | formerNFL player with theDallas Cowboys | [40] |
| Troy Hambrick | 2000 | Running Back | formerNFL player who averaged 4.1 yards per carry in his 5 seasons with theDallas Cowboys (2000–2003) and theArizona Cardinals (2004). | [40][38] |
| Britt Henderson | 1996 | Defensive Back | 1996 First Team All American | [13] |
| Patrick Jackson | unknown | formerUnited Indoor Football player who played with theRock River Raptors | [38] | |
| Jonathan Johnson | unknown | formerUnited Indoor Football player who played with theRock River Raptors | [38] | |
| Lemuel Ligdon | unknown | formerNFL Europe player who played with theRhein Fire | [38] | |
| Wesley McGriff | 1990 | Outside Linebacker | current defensive backs coach and defensive recruiting coordinator for theVanderbilt Commodores. Former defensive backs coach for theMiami Hurricanes and former interim coach and defensive coordinator at Savannah State University. | [44][45] |
| Ernest "The Cat" Miller | Linebacker | All-American linebacker and former professional wrestler | [46] | |
| Andrew Mitchell | unknown | formerArena Football League player who played with theArizona Rattlers | [38] | |
| Tahj Mowry | Running Back | former child actor from the sitcom "Smart Guy", played football at SSU for 1 season | ||
| Wes Phillips | 1979 | Offensive Tackle | formerNFL player with theHouston Oilers | [40] |
| Shannon Sharpe | 1986–89 | Wide Receiver / Tight End | 1989 First team All American, formerNFL player with theDenver Broncos andBaltimore Ravens, three-timeSuper Bowl champion, and former NFL's all-time leader in receptions (815) by a tight end (record now held byTony Gonzalez). He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. | [13][40][47] |
| Roosevelt Williams | 1998 | Cornerback | formerNFL player with theChicago Bears | [40] |
| Tim Walker | 1980 | Linebacker | 1979 First Team All American and formerNFL player with theSeattle Seahawks | [13][40] |
| Steve Wilks | 1999 | Defensive coordinator | former defensive coordinator for theSan Francisco 49ers | [15] |