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As the reigning MEAC Coach of the Year, South Carolina State’s Buddy Pough is far from satisfied
By Donald Hunt
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Bulldogs coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough
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Oliver “Buddy” Pough knows there are no moral victories for second place. Without a doubt, Pough has produced some great football teams at South Carolina State over the years—and he is regarded as one of the best coaches in the MEAC. But despite recent success, something was missing—particularly from his mantle.
“We had been so close for a number of years,” said Pough, who has compiled a 57-24 record in seven years as the Bulldogs coach. “In my office, I have a group of co-championship [trophies] and second-place [plaques]. But the fact that we won an out-right championship [in 2008] and got to the playoffs, it’s given our whole program a new sense of meaning.”
To that end, Pough was selected the MEAC Coach of the Year for leading South Carolina State to a 10-3 overall record and a conference title with a perfect 8-0 mark. In addition, he led the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearance in 26 years. “It’s a lot different around here now,” Pough acknowledged. “This is what we’ve tried to aspire [to].”
Despite losing to Appalachian State in the first round of the playoffs, the league championship means a lot to Pough. After all, the former offensive guard is an alumnus of South Carolina State, where he played some great football with the Bulldogs.
His glory years (he was an All-MEAC performer) are still vivid in his mind; Pough helped South Carolina State compile a 16-6-1 report card in 1974 and ’75. During those years, the Bulldogs won two MEAC championships. Which is why getting the program to its current state is more than just a nice feeling.
“Not only did I play here, I’m from this town [Orangeburg, S.C.],” Pough said. “Actually, I’m not quite from this town, but out in the sticks. I was raised around this campus and have been a fan all my life. I had opportunities in high school to go to other places, but my folks weren’t hearing it. I was a South Carolina State kid, tried and true, from the very beginning. That just makes it that much more special to come back and be somewhat successful.”
Pough is also proud to have played with some legendary players, including former New York Giant linebacker and NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson.
“I pick with Harry all the time,” Pough joked. “People ask me if I played with Harry; I tell them Harry played with me. But I played alongside Harry, Donnie Shell and a lot of great players.”
Although Carson and Shell had terrific NFL careers, Pough found his success in coaching. Before he came to South Carolina State, he was the running backs coach at the University of South Carolina, helping the Gamecocks become one of the best offensive teams in the SEC. He coached former NFL running backs Troy Hambrick and Derek Watson, and was along for the ride when the Gamecocks had consecutive appearances in the Outback Bowl in 2001 and ’02.
But in 2002, Pough took over the South Carolina State program from Willie Jeffries, who retired after 19 seasons and who also coached him as a player. Since becoming the main guy on the sidelines, Pough has gained a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience from some of college football’s greatest coaches.
“I coached with Lou Holtz for three years at the University of South Carolina,” said Pough. “He gave me a chance to coach in the SEC. It was a good experience for me. I learned the inside on how things are done at that level.
“Of course, I was heavily influenced by Willie Jeffries. This guy was really special in his time. He came in here when we weren’t very good. He taught us a lot about being a good person and how to deal with people. He’s a good guy. He’s really helped me throughout my career. I’ve been really fortunate over the years.”
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Donald Hunt is a columnist for The Philadelphia Tribune. You can reach him at dhunt37261@aol.com.
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