Fred Akers is a former American football player and coach…who served as head football coach at the University of Wyoming (1975–1976)….the University of Texas at Austin (1977–1986)….and Purdue University (1987–1990)….compiling a career college football record of 108–75–3. Akers spent eight years as an assistant on Darrell Royal’s staff in the mid- to late ’60s and early ’70s….when he left Texas for two years to be the head coach at Wyoming….returning as the Longhorns’ head coach following Royal’s retirement after the 1976. Akers’ notable accomplishments include a Heisman Trophy for Earl Campbell in the 1977 season and national title chances in the 1978 and 1984 Cotton Bowl Classics. In both of those years, Texas went undefeated in the regular season….only to lose in their bowl game….causing him to receive criticism from those who believed he failed to match the standard set by previous head coach Darrell Royal. However, much of that was mitigated by an impressive overall record…..and a winning mark against Barry Switzer of the Oklahoma Sooners….who was 3–0–1 against Texas before Akers came along. However, in Akers’ last five years he struggled against Oklahoma….going 1–3–1….and against Texas A&M….losing his last three game to the Aggies by an average margin of 23 points. Akers drew ire from the Texas faithful for losing bowl games at the end of four consecutive seasons (1982–1985)….and in 1986….after notching Texas’ first losing record in 30 years….he left to become the head football coach at Purdue University.
