Larry Blakeney

Bio

The all-time winningest coach in both Troy and Sun Belt Conference history, Larry Blakeney led the Trojans to eight conference titles while becoming one of only two coaches in history to guide a program from Division II to the Football Bowl Subdivision. Blakeney won 61.1 percent of his games during 24 years at Troy, posting a career record of 178-113-1. He led the Trojans to seven FCS playoff appearances and five bowl games after their transition to the FBS while winning eight conference championships. His teams regularly competed against and defeated Power Five opponents, including a signature 24-14 victory over 17th-ranked Missouri in 2004. He also notched Power Five wins against Mississippi State and Oklahoma State. He was named conference Coach of the Year four times, twice in the Southland and twice in the Sun Belt. He was a two-time AFCA Regional Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2000. In 1993, during the program's first full year at the FCS level, he led the Trojans to a 10-0-1 regular-season record, the first undefeated regular season in school history. In 1995, his team finished 11-0 in the regular season, marking their first undefeated and untied season. Blakeney mentored 14 First Team All-Americans, including 1999 Buck Buchanan Award winner Al Lucas, and he coached 2000 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Nick Colbert. His tenure included 86 First Team All-Conference selections, including three Sun Belt Players of the Year. A former Auburn quarterback, Blakeney made history as the first sophomore to start at the position for legendary Hall of Fame coach Shug Jordan.

Career Highlights

• 2009 Conference Coach of the Year
• 2008 Conference Coach of the Year
• 2000 AFCA District Coach of the Year
• 2000 Conference Coach of the Year
• 1999 AFCA District Coach of the Year
• 1999 Conference Coach of the Year