LITTLE ROCK — A sensational start gave way to a somber ending for Little Rock Central football Coach Bernie Cox, who retired following the 2009 season with the Tigers mired in a 21-game losing streak.
In 35 seasons at Central, Cox was 271-123-8 and his teams won seven state championships.
Only Frank McClellan of Barton (367) has more victories than Cox, 65, in Arkansas high school history.
Only Wilson Matthews of Central (10) and McClellan (eight) have more state titles.
Cox’s first team, led by All-America quarterback Houston Nutt, All-America wide receiver Robert Farrell and tailback Emanuel Tolbert, was ranked No. 1 in the state after finishing 12-0 and claiming the Class AAAA title. His teams then won state championships in 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1986.
After a lengthy title drought, Central returned to the top in 2003 and 2004, winning Class AAAAA titles and going 27-1 - the best two-year record in the state’s largest classification since sweeping reclassification in 1983.
But Central won only 21 games in Cox’s final five seasons.
The Tigers were 0-10 each of the past two years and have lost a school-record 21 consecutive games.
The program reached historic depths this fall, scoring only 48 points - the lowest single-season total in the state’s largest classification this decade - and being shut out five times, equaling a school record.
The slide also was marked by an inordinate amount of special teams blunders.
Cox, who was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, announced his retirement Oct. 10, although a source said Central’s administration and Cox mutually agreed that he not return as coach next season.
Ellis “Scooter” Register was announced Tuesday afternoon as Cox’s replacement.
Sports, Pages 33 on 12/27/2009