J. C. Harper
| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born | December 13, 1965 |
| Alma mater | Clemson University |
| Playing career | |
| 1985–1988 | Clemson |
| Position(s) | Defensive tackle |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1989 | North Carolina (GA) |
| 1990–1991 | Notre Dame (GA) |
| 1992–1996 | Southwest Missouri State (DL) |
| 1997–1998 | Southwest Missouri State (DC) |
| 1999–2001 | McNeese State (DL) |
| 2002 | Northwestern State (AHC/DC/LB) |
| 2003 | Western Michigan (DL) |
| 2004 | Western Michigan (DC) |
| 2005–2006 | Stephen F. Austin (DC) |
| 2007–2013 | Stephen F. Austin |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 45–50 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 2 Southland (2009, 2010) | |
| Awards | |
| 2× Southland Coach of the Year (2009, 2010) | |
J. C. Harper (born December 13, 1965) is an American football coach and former player. He served as head football coach at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) from 2007 to 2013, compiling a record of 37 wins and 45 losses.
Harper played defensive tackle at Clemson University from 1985–88, while his father Tom Harper served as defensive coordinator. He was a member of three Atlantic Coast Conference championship teams and four bowl teams. Clemson also finished in the final top 20 of the AP poll in 1986, 1987 and 1988.
Harper was promoted to head coach of the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks from his position as defensive coordinator in December 2006. He was the third head coach in four seasons. Starting from scratch, Harper led the Lumberjacks to a Southland Conference (SLC) championship in just his third season and then repeated as SLC champions in his fourth season. It was the first back-to-back championships in school history.
The 2009 season saw the program's first conference title in ten years (where they shared the conference title with McNeese State), a berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs and a top-10 national ranking. It was the second-biggest single-season turnaround at the NCAA FCS level, and the fourth-best turnaround at the NCAA Division I level.
Following the 2009 campaign Harper was recognized for his efforts being named the SLC Coach of the Year, and finishing second by only two points for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award.
It was the first time in ten years a Lumberjack squad had earned the SLC Championship trophy, and it was the program's first trip to the FCS playoffs since the 1995 season. Harper led SFA to double-digit wins for only the fourth time in school history, and the first time since its playoff run during the 1995 campaign. Throughout the course of the record-setting 2009 campaign, the Lumberjacks recorded victories over three nationally ranked opponents, including two ranked among the nation's top 10.
The 2009 campaign saw 20 Lumberjacks named to the All-SLC teams, including five first-team selections. Along with the all-conference teams quarterback Jeremy Moses was named SLC Player of the Year, defensive end Tim Knicky was named defensive player of the year and corner back Andre Banks received league newcomer of the year honors. The accolades didn't stop at the conference level. Twelve Lumberjacks earned All-America recognition, including five first-team selections.
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