The Howard Bulldogs football program, 1950–1959 represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) during the 1950s in college football. During this time, the Bulldogs were led by five different head coaches and had an overall record for the decade of 30–54–4. From 1950 through 1954, Howard competed as a member of the Dixie Conference and from 1955 onwards they competed as an independent.

From 1950 to 1953, Earl Gartman served as head coach, and led the Bulldogs to an overall record of 10–23–1 during this time. During his tenure Bobby Bowden was his most notable player after he earned "Little All-America" honors as quarterback. William C. White previously served as head coach at Howard in the 1940s, returned to coach the Bulldogs for their 1954 season, and led the team to a 2–7 record. The 1954 season also marked the final one Howard played as a member of the Dixie Conference.

After White resigned as head coach in June 1955, former Howard player Howard Foote was selected as the next head coach of the Bulldogs. Foote led Howard to an overall record of 3–13–2, before he resigned in August 1957. Virgil Ledbetter was next appointed as head coach and let Howard to an overall record of 6–10–1 during his two seasons. In 1959, Bobby Bowden was appointed as head coach and led his alma mater to a 9–1 record, with a victory in the Textile Bowl over Gordon Military College in his first season as a collegiate head coach.

During the 1950s, Howard played their home game as several stadiums. From 1950 to 1956, their primary home field was Barry Field, which was located on their original campus in the East Lake neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama. In 1957, the school relocated from East Lake to a new campus in Homewood, Alabama, and played the entirety of that season at Shades Valley H.S. Stadium prior to the opening of a new on-campus, Howard Stadium for their 1958 season. In the 1950s, Howard also played home games at Legion Field in Birmingham and at Hewitt High School Stadium in Trussville, Alabama.

1950

The 1950 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) as a member of the Dixie Conference during the 1950 college football season. Led by second-year head coach Earl Gartman, the team compiled a 2–8 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field and at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and at Hewitt High School Stadium in Trussville, Alabama.

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team included Howard Foote at end, John Wade at tackle, and Bobby Bowden at back. Players selected to the second team included Carol Roberts at end, Charles Maze at guard, and both Tom Cutliff and George Pappas at back.

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1951

The 1951 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) as a member of the Dixie Conference during the 1951 college football season. Led by third-year head coach Earl Gartman, the team compiled a 2–3–1 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team on offense included Phil Powell at end, Jim Hearn at tackle, Ben Thompson at guard, Tom McClendon at halfback, and Bobby Bowden at quarterback. Players selected to the first team on defense included Charlie Maze at guard, Tom Laney at linebacker, and Wade Wallace.

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1952

The 1952 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) as a member of the Dixie Conference during the 1952 college football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Earl Gartman, the team compiled a 5–4 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field in Birmingham, Alabama, at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama, and at Hewitt High School Stadium in Trussville, Alabama.

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team included Phil Powell and Johnny Howell at end, Charles Hern and Ben Bancroft at guard, Bent Thompson at center, Bobby Bowden at quarterback.

Schedule

1953

The 1953 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) as a member of the Dixie Conference during the 1953 college football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Earl Gartman, the team compiled a 1–8 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field in Birmingham, Alabama and at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama. Gartman resigned as head coach in May 1954, but remained on the staff as an assistant coach.

At the conclusion of the season, several Howard players were named to the All-Dixie Conference Team. Players selected to the first team included Charles Hill at end, Tom Upshaw at guard, and Billy Joe Lovvorn at Back.

Schedule

1954

The 1954 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as Samford University) as a member of the Dixie Conference during the 1954 college football season. Led by third-year head coach William C. White, the team compiled a 2–7 record. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field in Birmingham, Alabama and at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

White was hired as head coach in May 1954 from Sewanee where he had served as head coach of the Tigers from 1946 to 1953. This marked the return of White to Howard after he previously served as head coach in 1940 and 1941. White resigned as head coach in January 1955 to be the physical director of the Nashville YMCA.

This marked the final season that Howard competed as a member of the Dixie Conference after its formal disbandment in December 1954. The Bulldogs competed as an independent until their 2003 season when they joined the Ohio Valley Conference.

Schedule

1955

The 1955 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as the Samford University) as an independent during the 1955 college football season. In their first year under head coach Howard Foote, the team compiled a record of 1–8. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field and at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama and at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama. Seniors James Chandler and Wayne Walker were the team captains.

Foote was hired as head coach of the Bulldogs in July 1955 to serve as the successor for William C. White. Prior to his appointment at Howard, Foote served as head coach at Tarrant High School.

Schedule

1956

The 1956 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as the Samford University) as an independent during the 1956 college football season. In their second year under head coach Howard Foote, the team compiled a record of 2–5–2. Howard played their home games on campus at Berry Field in Birmingham, Alabama and at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

Foote resigned as head coach in August 1957 to become an assistant coach at Austin Peay.

Schedule

1957

The 1957 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as the Samford University) as an independent during the 1957 college football season. In their first year under head coach Virgil Ledbetter, the team compiled a record of 4–5. Howard played their home games at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

In August 1957, Ledbetter was promoted to head coach after the departure of Howard Foote to Austin Peay. The 1957 season also was the first for Howard at their new campus in Homewood after previously being based at a campus located in the East Lake neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama.

Schedule

1958

The 1958 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as the Samford University) as an independent during the 1958 college football season. In their second year under head coach Virgil Ledbetter, the team compiled a record of 1–6–1. Howard played their home games on campus at Howard Stadium and at Shades Valley High School Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

In April 1959, Ledbetter was removed from his position as head coach.

Schedule

1959

The 1959 Howard Bulldogs football team was an American football team that represented Howard College (now known as the Samford University) as an independent during the 1959 college football season. In their first year under head coach Bobby Bowden, the team compiled an 9–1 record and defeated Gordon Military College in the Textile Bowl. Howard played their home games on campus at Howard Stadium in Homewood, Alabama.

In May 1959, Bowden was hired as head coach of the Bulldogs.

Schedule

References