TULSA, Okla. –– The University of Tulsa mourns the passing of TU Athletic Hall of Famer F.A. Dry, a former head football coach and director of athletics who guided the Golden Hurricane to four consecutive Missouri Valley Conference championships. Dry was inducted into The University of Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019 in recognition of his contributions as an assistant football coach, director of athletics and head football coach.
"F.A. Dry holds a special place in the history of Tulsa Athletics," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Justin Moore. "As a coach and athletics director, he helped shape our program and established a legacy that continues on our campus today. We are proud that our Sports Performance Center bears his name, connecting generations of student-athletes to his contributions to this university. Our thoughts are with his family, former players and all who knew him."
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His impact at Tulsa began as an assistant coach from 1961-65, when he helped develop the Golden Hurricane's nationally prominent passing offense and contributed to consecutive Bluebonnet Bowl appearances.
After becoming Tulsa's director of athletics in 1971, Dry added head football coaching duties midway through the 1972 season. He compiled a 31-18-1 overall record and a 20-4-1 conference mark in four and a half seasons, leading the Golden Hurricane to Missouri Valley Conference titles in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976.
"Coach Dry helped build a proud tradition of Tulsa Football, and it is an honor to carry that tradition forward," said Head Football Coach Tre Lamb. "Winning four consecutive conference championships speaks to his leadership and the commitment of the players and coaches around him. His accomplishments remain an important part of our program's history, and our entire football family extends its deepest condolences to the Dry family."
Dry earned Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors in three consecutive seasons from 1974-76. His 1974 team finished 8-3 and ranked No. 19 in the United Press International poll. In 1976, he led Tulsa to the Independence Bowl, marking the program's first bowl appearance in 11 years.
Dry served as both director of athletics and head football coach through the 1976 season.
His legacy continues on campus through the F.A. Dry Sports Performance Center, named in his honor. The facility stands as a lasting tribute to his contributions to Tulsa Athletics and his impact on Golden Hurricane student-athletes. The University of Tulsa extends its deepest condolences to the Dry family, his former players and colleagues, and all who knew him.
