In the history of UTSA athletics, many figures have left lasting marks on the university’s sports programs. From football to basketball, track and softball, each athlete and coach has played a part in building UTSA’s athletic prominence.
Frank Harris, one of the most pivotal figures in UTSA football history, spent seven seasons as quarterback. During that time, he led the team to two Conference USA championships and their first-ever bowl victory, solidifying his place as the most accomplished player in the program’s history. Head coach Jeff Traylor, with Harris as his quarterback, coached UTSA to new heights, transforming the team from a middling program into one with genuine conference championship aspirations. Then there’s Tariq Woolen, whose rise from wide receiver during his early years with the Roadrunners to a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks made him a key symbol of UTSA’s impact on professional sports.
In basketball, Devin Brown became UTSA’s all-time leading scorer before winning an NBA championship with the Spurs. Monica Gibbs earned Southland Conference Player of the Year in 2009 and still holds records in rebounds and assists for women’s basketball. Jessica Rogers became one of UTSA’s greatest hitters in softball, setting records in home runs and RBIs. Track and field stars Tameka Roberts and Roger Soler also made their mark, with Roberts excelling in sprinting and Soler competing in the Olympics. However, when discussing the most important figure in UTSA athletics history, the conversation must focus on Larry Coker, the man who laid the foundation for the football program.
Coker’s journey to UTSA football came at a time when the university was beginning to dream big about starting a football team. Hired in 2009 as the program’s first head coach, Coker brought not just experience but credibility to a football program that, at that time, did not exist. The challenge before him was monumental. UTSA had no football facilities, no players and no established schedule. His legacy as the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, where he won a national championship in 2001, gave him the credibility to command respect as he embarked on this enormous task.
Under Coker, UTSA football took its first breath. By 2011, Coker had built a team from scratch, and in their inaugural season, the Roadrunners finished with an impressive 8-4 record—a remarkable feat for a first-year program. In their debut game, a 31-3 victory over Northeastern State University, UTSA set a record for the highest-attended game for an NCAA Division I FCS start-up program, with 56,743 fans in attendance. That season not only drew huge crowds and ignited excitement in San Antonio, but it also demonstrated Coker’s ability to turn a fledgling team into a competitive force that set the tone for future growth.
What sets Coker apart as the most important figure in UTSA athletics history isn’t just his role in creating the football program, but the lasting impact of his work. When Coker stepped down from his role in 2016, UTSA football was no longer just an idea — it was a reality, and a successful one at that. The foundation he laid allowed future coaches like Traylor to take the program to even greater heights. Coker’s legacy is also tied to his success at Miami, which gave UTSA instant credibility when he was hired. His national championship with the Hurricanes is a testament to his coaching acumen, and his decision to take on the challenge at UTSA speaks volumes about his belief in the potential of the program.
Coker’s work at UTSA transcended wins and losses. His ability to recruit players, establish a winning mentality and bring national attention to a young program set UTSA on a path that would eventually see it compete on the national stage. Today, UTSA is a respected program in the American Athletic Conference, but it’s important to remember that none of this would have been possible without Coker’s vision and leadership during those early years.
While many figures have contributed to UTSA’s rise in athletics, Coker remains the most pivotal, not only for building a football program from the ground up but for establishing the foundation of a lasting legacy. His leadership, experience and credibility transformed UTSA football from a bold idea into a competitive reality. Coker cultivated a culture of excellence that allowed the program to grow and thrive long after his tenure. His belief in UTSA’s potential and his unwavering dedication breathed life into a football program that now competes on the national stage. That is why he is, and always will be, known as the father of UTSA football.
