Art Baker

Art Baker (born January 21, 1929 in Raleigh, North Carolina) was an American football coach whose career spanned more than two decades, influencing collegiate programs across the Southeast. After playing quarterback at Lenoir‑Rhyne University, where he earned All‑Conference honors, Baker transitioned to coaching in the mid‑1950s, first serving as a graduate assistant at his alma mater before moving to the high‑school ranks in North Carolina. His early success caught the attention of larger programs, and by 1965 he had been appointed head coach at Furman University, a position he held for six seasons. During his tenure at Furman, Baker emphasized disciplined, run‑heavy offense and helped modernize the school's recruiting pipelines, guiding the Paladins to multiple Southern Conference victories. In 1971 he accepted the head‑coaching job at The Citadel, where his rigorous defensive schemes earned the Bulldogs a reputation for toughness, even though the win‑loss record remained modest. Beyond the gridiron, Baker served as an athletic administrator, overseeing facility upgrades and championing academic support for student‑athletes, contributions that were later recognized with a lifetime achievement award from the South Carolina Athletic Directors Association. After retiring from active coaching in the mid‑1970s, he remained a beloved figure in the community, frequently appearing as a guest commentator on regional radio and mentoring young coaches through the American Football Coaches Association. Art Baker's legacy is defined not only by the games he won but by the generations of players and coaches who credit him for their own success, embodying the spirit of perseverance and integrity that characterizes classic American football.