Leon Fuller
| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
July 28, 1938 Nederland, Texas |
| Playing career | |
| 1956–1958 | Tyler JC |
| 1959–1960 | Alabama |
| Position(s) | Halfback, defensive back |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1966–1968 | Kentucky (DB) |
| 1974 | West Texas State (DC) |
| 1975–1976 | Wyoming (DC) |
| 1977–1981 | Texas (DC) |
| 1982–1988 | Colorado State |
| 1989–1993 | Texas (DC) |
| 1994 | Denver Broncos (DB) |
| 1995 | Llano HS (TX) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 25–55 (college) |
Robert Leon Fuller (July 28, 1938) is a former American football coach. He served as head coach of the Colorado State college football program from 1982 to 1988. Fuller also served as defensive coordinator for the Texas Longhorns and is regarded as “one of the best defensive coaches the University of Texas ever had.”
Fuller grew up in Nederland, Texas, where he attended high school and played football for Bum Phillips. Despite weighing only 135 pounds (61 kg), Fuller displayed extraordinary talent and tenaciousness as a defensive back. As a senior in high school, Fuller lived with the Phillips family, after his father was shot in a bar and his mother left town.
Because of his size, Fuller was not recruited by any college, but Phillips recommended him to Floyd Wagstaff, head coach at Tyler Junior College. Fuller was awarded a scholarship and immediately became the team's most valuable player. He was named All-Texas Junior College and NJCAA All-American.
Bum Phillips later recommended Fuller again to an acquainted colleague, this time Alabama Crimson Tide coach Bear Bryant. In his first year, Fuller made the All-Southeast Conference team at safety, and during his senior year he made the all-star team on both offense and defense and served as team captain. He played in the North/South All-Star Game and the Senior Bowl All-Star at Alabama.
After graduating from Alabama in 1961, Fuller became an assistant coach at Big Spring High School. In 1963, he was hired as graduate assistant at Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. Fuller continued his coaching career with stints at the University of Kentucky and the University of New Mexico. In 1974 he was appointed defensive coordinator at West Texas State University by Gene Mayfield. A year later he left to take over a similar position at the University of Wyoming under Fred Akers. In 1977 Fuller followed Akers to the University of Texas at Austin. Fuller instantly became a favorite among Texas fans and alumni, as his defensive units frequently ranked among the nation's best.
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