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Tubby Raymond
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Harold Rupert "Tubby" Raymond[1] (November 14, 1925 – December 8, 2017) was an American football and baseball player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Delaware from 1966 to 2001, compiling a record of 300–119–3. Raymond was also the head baseball coach at the University of Maine from 1952 to 1953 and at Delaware from 1956 to 1964, tallying a career college baseball mark of 164–72–3. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2003.
Key Information
Playing career
[edit]Raymond, a native of Flint, Michigan[2], played quarterback and linebacker at the University of Michigan under Fritz Crisler. He also played baseball at Michigan and was the captain of the baseball team in 1949.[3] He played minor league baseball in 1950 with the Clarksdale Planters and in 1951 with the Flint Arrows.[4]
Coaching career
[edit]Raymond began his coaching career in 1949 as the head football and assistant boy's basketball coach at University High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He succeeded another former Michigan football player, Henry Fonde.[5] His football compiled identical 6–2 records in his two seasons as head coach and won a conference title in 1949.[6]
In 1951, Raymond became an assistant at the University of Maine. He moved to Delaware in 1954 as a backfield coach under David M. Nelson, who had also played at Michigan. When Nelson stood down in 1966 to focus on his duties as athletic director, Raymond succeeded Nelson as head football coach. He retired after 36 seasons with a 300–119–3 record, three national titles (1971, 1972, 1979), 14 Lambert Cup trophies, 23 post-season bids and four consecutive victories in the Boardwalk Bowl. After classifications were formed in the early 1970s, Delaware was a Division II program until elevating to Division I-AA in 1981. At the time of his retirement, more than half of Blue Hens' all-time victories in the 110-year history of their program had been tallied under Raymond. On March 5, 2002, K. C. Keeler, former Blue Hens linebacker and head football coach at Rowan University, succeeded Raymond at Delaware.
Use of "Delaware Wing T" offense
A formation similar to the Flexbone, though much older, is known as the "Delaware Wing-T" was created by longtime University of Delaware coach and NCAA Rules Committee chairman David M. Nelson, and perfected by his successor Tubby Raymond. It has become a very popular offense with high schools and small colleges. It was designed at the time to be a mix between the single wing and T-formation. It took the motion and run-strength of the single wing, and the QB-under-center from the T. In this variation, there is only one wing back, with the other back lined up next to the fullback on the opposite side from the wing back. However, the Wing Back may also line up diagonally from the Tight End. He may be used as an extra blocker or a receiver. He may come in motion for running plays.
300th win
[edit]Going into the 2001 season, Raymond needed just four wins to reach the 300 mark. At the first game of the season, a banner hung above the stadium listing the numbers 297, 298, 299 and 300. As each win was accomplished, the respective number was crossed off.
Raymond's 300th win came during the last home game of the season on November 10 with a 10–6 victory against the Richmond Spiders. As the clock wound down in the game, the crowd began chanting "Tubby, Tubby". Raymond made a short, humble speech and was carried off the field by his team as a construction worker climbed onto a cherry-picker to cross off the final number on the poster.
The following is an excerpt from Raymond's speech to Delaware fans after his 300th victory:
"I have to apologize for paraphrasing, but I feel a little bit like Lou Gehrig. I'm the luckiest man on the face of the earth. First, I'd like to thank the Delaware fans who have been here for so many years. I know there are things that happen that you don't like. There are things that happen that I don't like. But the thing that's there all the time is you. You're at every football game. You're excited about being here, and you truly made Delaware football something we can all be proud of. Thank you very much."
Delaware lost its final game of the season on the road against Villanova and, that winter, Raymond announced his retirement, ending his career at an even 300 wins.
Awards and honors
[edit]
In 1993, the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame inducted Raymond.[7] On August 29, 2002, the playing surface at Delaware Stadium, which was opened in 1952 (Raymond's second year), was renamed Tubby Raymond Field in his honor.
Outside of football
[edit]Political activity
[edit]Raymond became involved in Delaware politics, and remained active even after retiring to Landenberg, Pennsylvania. Because he was well-known and liked in Delaware, his endorsement was sought out by candidates. Raymond was a staunch conservative; he described himself as "just to the right of Genghis Khan."[8]
Despite his conservative views, Raymond long supported Democrat Jack Markell more out of loyalty than because of political views. As a boy, Markell grew up seven houses away from the Raymonds and the two remained friends. When Markell ran for state treasurer, Raymond taped radio ads supporting him. In 2007, Markell named Raymond an honorary co-chair of his 2008 gubernatorial bid.[9] Markell became the 73rd Governor of Delaware in January 2009.
Painting
[edit]Raymond was an accomplished painter. While coaching at Delaware, he began a tradition of painting a Blue Hen player each week of the season. Even after retiring from coaching, he continued to paint each senior Blue Hen player.[10]
Family
[edit]Harold was married twice and had four children.[2] His first wife, Susan, became deaf as an adult after a bout with Ménière's disease and died from a brain tumor in 1990.[11] His two sons were David Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic,[11] and Chris Raymond, the former head football coach at Colby College.[12] He resided in Landenberg, Pennsylvania with his second wife, Diane.[2]
Death
[edit]Raymond died on December 8, 2017 at Christiana Hospital from complications after a brief illness. He was 92 years old.[13]
On January 12, 2018, the University of Delaware hosted a celebration of Raymond's life at the Bob Carpenter Center. Speakers included University president Dennis Assanis, former Vice President Joe Biden (who played freshman football at Delaware), NFL MVP Rich Gannon[14]
Head coaching record
[edit]Football
[edit]Baseball
[edit]Below is a table of Raymond's yearly records as a collegiate head baseball coach.[15][16][17]
| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Black Bears (Yankee Conference) (1952–1954) | |||||||||
| 1952 | Maine | 11–10–1 | 3–2 | 3rd | |||||
| 1953 | Maine | 11–7 | 2–2 | T–3rd | |||||
| 1954 | Maine | 14–9 | 3–3 | 3rd | |||||
| Maine: | 36–26–1 | 8–7 | |||||||
| Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (Middle Atlantic Conference) (1956–1964) | |||||||||
| 1956 | Delaware | 14–2 | 1st | NCAA Regional | |||||
| 1957 | Delaware | 14–6 | |||||||
| 1958 | Delaware | 19–3 | 1st | ||||||
| 1959 | Delaware | 15–4 | |||||||
| 1960 | Delaware | 14–8–1 | 1st | NCAA Regional | |||||
| 1961 | Delaware | 17–8–1 | 1st | NCAA Regional | |||||
| 1962 | Delaware | 17–7 | |||||||
| 1963 | Delaware | 15–10 | |||||||
| 1964 | Delaware | 17–7 | 1st | ||||||
| Delaware: | 142–55–2 | ||||||||
| Total: | 178–81–3 | ||||||||
|
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
| |||||||||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "With 300th win, Tubby joins elite group of college coaches". UD Messenger. 10 (4). 2001. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Tubby Raymond". National Football Foundation. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ "Michigan Baseball Captains". University of Michigan Official Athletic Site. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
- ^ "Harold Raymond Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 12, 2010.
- ^ "Raymond Named Head Grid Mentor at 'U' High". The Michigan Daily. April 19, 1949. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ Jenks, John (December 19, 1950). "Both Menotrs Crisler-Trained: Local High School Coaches Post Sensational Records". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ "Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in Wilmington, Delaware - 1993". www.desports.org.
- ^ Miller, Beth (July 29, 2007). "Democratic rivals jockeyed to get big names on their side". The News Journal. Archived from the original on September 2, 2007.
- ^ "Democrat Jack Markell Announces Initial Honorary Co-Chairs of his Campaign for Governor" (Press release). Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
- ^ "Featured Artist: Harold 'Tubby' Raymond". Go-star.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2004.
- ^ a b Malooley, Jake (April 13, 2021). "Googly eyes, Sasquatch suits and a runaway booger: Welcome to the Mascot Hall of Fame". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
- ^ "Chris Raymond". Colby Mules football. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ Tresolini, Kevin (December 8, 2017). "Longtime University of Delaware football coach Tubby Raymond dies at 92". The News Journal. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ Tresolini, Kevin (January 12, 2018). "Personal reflections of ex-Delaware football coach Tubby Raymond are a treasure". The News-Journal.
- ^ "Baseball" (PDF). University of Maine. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 22, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
- ^ "2014 Delaware Baseball Media Guide". Delaware Sports Information. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
- ^ "NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Record Book" (PDF). NCAA. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
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Tubby Raymond
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Harold R. "Tubby" Raymond (November 14, 1925 – December 8, 2017) was an American college football and baseball coach, most renowned for his 36-year tenure as head football coach at the University of Delaware from 1966 to 2001, during which he achieved a record of 300–119–3, secured three national championships in NCAA Division II (1971, 1972, and 1979), and developed innovative adaptations of the Wing-T offense that emphasized misdirection and running plays.[1][2][3] A University of Michigan alumnus, Raymond also coached baseball at Delaware starting in 1954, contributing to the program's development while prioritizing football success, including 14 Lambert Cup awards as the top small-college team in the East and 16 NCAA playoff appearances.[4][5] His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003 recognized his strategic innovations and sustained excellence at a Division I-AA institution.[1]
Early life and education
Childhood and family background
Harold R. Raymond, known throughout his life as "Tubby," was born on November 14, 1926, in Flint, Michigan, a city synonymous with the automobile industry's blue-collar workforce during the early 20th century. Growing up in this manufacturing hub, where General Motors originated and employed tens of thousands in assembly-line labor, Raymond experienced an environment that prized resilience and diligence—qualities that later permeated his coaching tenets, though no direct accounts tie specific family professions to these influences.[6][7] As a child, Raymond was notably pudgy, earning his enduring nickname "Tubby" from schoolmates and playmates, a moniker he shed in physique but retained affectionately into adulthood.[6][7] Limited records exist on his immediate family dynamics or parental occupations, but the absence of documented privilege aligns with Flint's predominant working-class ethos, fostering a competitive spirit through everyday challenges rather than affluence. Early involvement in sports, including football and baseball, began in his youth, laying groundwork for skills honed later, though specific high school exploits remain sparsely detailed in available biographies.[8][9]University of Michigan playing career
Harold Raymond, known as "Tubby," played football as a quarterback and linebacker for the University of Michigan during the late 1940s under head coach Fritz Crisler.[8][10] His tenure coincided with the postwar resumption of full college schedules following World War II disruptions, including player shortages and military service obligations that had thinned rosters earlier in the decade.[11] Specific statistics from Raymond's games are scarce due to limited record-keeping in the era, but his versatility across offensive and defensive roles exposed him to Crisler's rigorous emphasis on physical conditioning, tactical precision, and collective discipline over individual stardom.[8] Raymond also competed in baseball at Michigan, serving as team captain in 1949.[10] This dual-sport participation honed his understanding of athletic fundamentals and adaptability, as Crisler's football program—pioneering two-platoon specialization—paralleled the strategic demands of baseball under coach Ray Fisher.[11] These experiences instilled a foundational respect for disciplined execution and team-oriented play, contrasting with any permissive athletic cultures, and laid groundwork for Raymond's later innovations in offensive schemes.[8] He graduated from Michigan in 1950 with a degree in education.[3]Coaching career
Early coaching roles
After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1950, Raymond began his coaching career as head football coach at University High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[12] He then served as an assistant football coach at the University of Maine starting in 1951, where he gained initial experience in college-level tactics and player development.[13] In 1954, Raymond joined the University of Delaware as backfield coach under head coach Dave Nelson, a position he held for the next 12 years until 1965.[14] During this period, he focused on refining player fundamentals and execution, contributing to the program's emphasis on disciplined, character-driven athletes who prioritized team integrity over raw talent.[15] Concurrently, from 1956 to 1964, Raymond served as head baseball coach at Delaware, compiling a record that further demonstrated his ability to build cohesive units through consistent fundamentals and long-term player evaluation.[14] Raymond's tenure as an assistant solidified his tactical acumen, particularly in backfield strategies and recruit selection, where he advocated rejecting prospects with behavioral red flags to ensure team cohesion and ethical standards.[16] In 1966, Nelson, fearing Raymond might depart for another opportunity, hand-selected him as successor to lead the Blue Hens football program.[17]Head coaching at University of Delaware
Harold R. "Tubby" Raymond became head football coach at the University of Delaware in 1966, succeeding Dave Nelson after serving as an assistant under him.[4] Over 36 seasons through 2001, Raymond's teams achieved a record of 300 wins, 119 losses, and 3 ties, elevating the program from regional competitor to national contender in small college football.[18] Early success included Middle Atlantic Conference titles in 1966, 1968, and 1969, establishing a foundation of consistent winning amid the pre-playoff era of college divisions.[19] The 1970s marked peak dominance with back-to-back national championships in 1971 and 1972, recognized in the NCAA College Division prior to the 1973 restructuring into Divisions I, II, and III.[1] A third national title followed in this period, underscoring Raymond's ability to build championship-caliber teams through disciplined execution and player development at a modest-sized institution without reliance on superior resources.[20] As divisions formalized, Delaware transitioned through NCAA Division II competition, adapting to heightened regional and national scrutiny while maintaining competitive edges in scheduling and preparation. By the 1980s, the Blue Hens shifted to NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS), where Raymond's leadership yielded 16 playoff appearances across multiple decades, including deep postseason runs that tested adaptability against evolving opponents and rules.[1] Key seasons in the I-AA era featured sustained contention in the Yankee Conference, with win totals reflecting strategic adjustments to faster-paced games and increased athletic scholarships at peer programs. Raymond's 300th career victory came on November 17, 2001, in a 10-6 defensive win over Richmond, capping a tenure that transformed Delaware football into a model of sustained excellence through internal program rigor rather than external advantages.[21] This progression across classifications demonstrated causal attribution to coaching acumen, as empirical win rates improved markedly under Raymond compared to prior benchmarks, fostering a culture of precision and resilience.[3]Offensive innovations and philosophy
Raymond adapted the traditional Wing-T offense into the Delaware variant, evolving it from the Michigan Single Wing through refinements that emphasized systematic misdirection and blocking fundamentals rather than rote tradition. This system featured multiple formations with four backs, including a wingback for motion, enabling a run-heavy attack complemented by play-action passes to exploit defensive overcommitments. Central to its design were "sequence football" principles, where plays shared similar motions and blocking schemes to disguise intentions, forcing defenders into conflicting assignments across multiple field threats. Blocking schemes prioritized down blocks and pulling guards to create leverage, rooted in precise execution over athletic dominance, allowing the offense to neutralize superior defenses through deception and synchronization.[22] The philosophy privileged player versatility and in-house development, eschewing reliance on elite stars or transfer influxes in favor of versatile athletes who could block, carry, or fake interchangeably—particularly the quarterback's active role in options and misdirection. Raymond's approach suited resource-limited programs like Delaware by focusing on consistent execution and character-driven recruiting from high school pipelines, rejecting quick fixes like heavy transfers that he later criticized as symptomatic of weak foundational building. This method fostered teams where no single player dominated, instead leveraging collective precision to achieve ball control and deceptive efficiency, with backs trained to threaten runs, passes, or keeps in fluid series.[22][23] By design, the system aimed to minimize turnovers and elevate passing efficiency through misdirection-fed play-action, contrasting power offenses that depend on talent disparities for explosive but riskier gains; Raymond's playbook underscored synchronized line-backfield harmony to sustain drives and limit errors, enabling sustained success against larger foes without proportional recruiting advantages.[22][21]Key achievements and records
Raymond compiled a career record of 300 wins, 119 losses, and 3 ties as head coach of the University of Delaware Blue Hens from 1966 to 2001, achieving a winning percentage of approximately 71%.[3][1] His teams secured three national championships: in 1971 and 1972 under the NCAA College Division, and in 1979.[18][24] The Blue Hens won 14 Lambert Cups, awarded to the top team in Eastern small-college football, underscoring regional dominance despite competing in divisions below the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).[1] Raymond's program made 16 NCAA playoff appearances, with 31 of his 36 teams posting winning records and 11 seasons yielding 10 or more victories, reflecting sustained success amid shifts from College Division to Division I-AA classifications without pursuing FBS elevation.[3][1] While some seasons ended in playoff disappointments, such as early exits in multiple I-AA tournaments, the program's consistent contention— including six Yankee Conference titles and additional Atlantic 10 championships—demonstrated resilience against stronger national competition, prioritizing long-term stability over high-risk escalation.[3][25]Notable milestones
Raymond secured his first national championship as head coach of the University of Delaware on December 18, 1971, defeating Massachusetts 16-6 in the Camellia Bowl to claim the NCAA Division II title, marking the program's inaugural postseason victory in that division.[1] This success was followed by a second consecutive national championship in 1972, achieved through a 20-0 shutout of Louisiana Tech in the Boardwalk Bowl on December 9.[1] The third title came in 1979 after a 27-7 win over Youngstown State in the Zia Bowl on December 15.[8] On November 10, 2001, Raymond earned his 300th career victory in a 10-6 defensive struggle against Richmond at Delaware Stadium, becoming only the ninth coach in college football history to reach that milestone and concluding his 36-season tenure with a final record of 300-119-3.[3][21] In recognition of his contributions, the University of Delaware Board of Trustees named the playing surface at Delaware Stadium as Tubby Raymond Field, with the dedication occurring on August 29, 2002, prior to the season opener against Georgia Southern.[26]Retirement and succession
Raymond announced his retirement on February 18, 2002, following the conclusion of the 2001 season, after 36 years as head coach at the University of Delaware with an overall record of 300 wins, 119 losses, and 3 ties.[27][28] The decision marked the end of a tenure that included three national championships and 14 Lambert Cup awards as the top Division I-AA (now FCS) team east of the Mississippi River, though contemporary reports attributed the retirement to the natural progression of a long career rather than any immediate health concerns.[27] The University of Delaware selected K.C. Keeler as Raymond's successor on March 5, 2002, promoting him from his head coaching position at Division III Rowan University, where he had compiled an 88-21-1 record and reached five national title games.[29] Keeler, who had played linebacker for Raymond from 1978 to 1980, received Raymond's endorsement for the role, with the retiring coach expressing delight at the internal transition from a familiar figure within the program.[30] Under Keeler, Delaware initially sustained competitive success, securing the 2003 NCAA Division I-AA national championship—the program's fourth title—and finishing as runner-up in 2007, while posting an 86-52 overall record through 11 seasons.[31] Keeler diverged from Raymond's established Wing-T offensive system by implementing a no-huddle spread offense, reflecting a broader philosophical shift toward faster-paced schemes adapted from his time at Rowan.[32] This evolution prioritized schematic adaptability over strict adherence to Raymond's developmental emphasis on multi-position versatility and long-term player growth within a single system, though both coaches maintained a focus on program continuity and recruiting regional talent.[33] Delaware's performance remained strong in the immediate post-Raymond years, with six playoff appearances in Keeler's first seven seasons, underscoring an effective handover despite the tactical changes.[31]Awards and honors
College Football Hall of Fame induction
Harold "Tubby" Raymond was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on December 9, 2003, in South Bend, Indiana, recognizing his exceptional career as head coach at the University of Delaware.[20][34] The National Football Foundation (NFF) honored him for compiling 300 wins over 36 seasons with the Blue Hens, a milestone achieved on November 10, 2001, in a 10-6 victory over Richmond, making him only the ninth coach in college football history to reach that total and the fourth to do so at a single institution.[1][21] This accomplishment, combined with three national championships in 1971, 1972, and 1979, underscored his sustained excellence at what was then a Division II and later I-AA program, distinguishing him as a pioneer in smaller-college football success.[35][4] Raymond's induction highlighted the merit-based criteria of the Hall, which prioritize verifiable on-field achievements such as win totals, championships, and innovative contributions over institutional size or resources.[20] His overall record of 300-119-3 demonstrated consistent dominance, including 14 Lambert Cup awards as the top I-AA team east of the Mississippi, further evidencing the empirical basis for his selection.[8] He became the third consecutive Delaware head coach enshrined, following Dave Nelson and Bill Belichick, affirming the program's coaching pedigree without reliance on larger-program advantages.[18] The recognition affirmed Raymond's philosophy of maximizing player potential through disciplined execution, though no specific induction speech transcripts emphasize personal anecdotes over these quantifiable impacts.[36]Other recognitions and trophies
Raymond's teams at the University of Delaware won 14 Lambert Cups, the trophy awarded annually to the top football program among Eastern Division I-AA institutions, spanning from 1968 to 2001.[4][5] In recognition of his contributions to Delaware athletics, Raymond was inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in 1993.[4] The University of Delaware Board of Trustees honored him in 2002 by naming the playing surface at Delaware Stadium Tubby Raymond Field, with the dedication occurring on August 29 prior to a game against Georgia Southern; this acknowledged his role in over 50% of the program's all-time victories at the time of his retirement.[26][37] He received further institutional acknowledgment through induction into the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.[14]Personal life and later years
Family
Tubby Raymond married his childhood sweetheart, Suzanne Heinmann, in 1951; the couple had three children—daughter Debbie and sons Chris and David—before her death in 1990.[17] Raymond wed Diane in 1993 after meeting her in 1991, and the pair resided in Landenberg, Pennsylvania, where she provided companionship during his later years.[38] Together, Raymond and his wives raised or supported a family of four children, who integrated into the University of Delaware community amid his long coaching tenure.[5] David Raymond, the eldest son, exemplified the self-reliance Tubby instilled in his children, mirroring the discipline emphasized in his coaching philosophy; David became the original performer of the Philadelphia Phillies' mascot, the Phanatic, navigating high-pressure public roles independently.[39] This familial ethos of resilience enabled Tubby to focus on his career, as his children adapted to the demands of his extended absences during seasons without requiring constant oversight.[17] The family's presence at Delaware events fostered a supportive network, reinforcing community ties that sustained Raymond's 36-year commitment to the program.[40]Political involvement
Raymond endorsed Democrat Jack Markell during his 2008 campaign for Governor of Delaware, appearing in a television advertisement to lend his support. This backing stemmed from a deep personal bond rather than shared ideology, as Markell grew up in Newark's Windy Hills neighborhood just down the street from the Raymond family and recalled playing in their backyard with Raymond's sons during his boyhood.[41][17][42] Markell's governorship lasted from 2009 to 2017, during which he maintained ties to Raymond, attending events honoring the coach alongside other Delaware figures.[43] Raymond's willingness to cross partisan lines for a longtime acquaintance underscored his conservative leanings, which prioritized personal loyalty and traditional values like self-reliance over rigid political alignment or entitlement mindsets prevalent in contemporary discussions of sports and society. He expressed reservations about moral decline in modern athletics, favoring discipline and individual accountability drawn from first-hand coaching experience over permissive trends.Artistic pursuits
After retiring from coaching following the 2001 season, Raymond maintained his tradition of creating acrylic portraits of University of Delaware senior football players, producing one each week during the season as a personal artistic endeavor tied to his lifelong affinity for the Blue Hens program.[44][14] This practice, which demanded consistent weekly output, echoed the disciplined routine of his coaching career without evolving into a professional artistic vocation.[45] The portraits focused on themes of athletic competition, capturing individual players in action or repose to commemorate their contributions, rather than broader subjects like nature.[1] Raymond's works received national media coverage, including features in Sports Illustrated and on ABC's Good Morning America, highlighting their appeal beyond campus circles while remaining rooted in his coaching legacy.[6][5] He continued this output into his later years, with reports noting activity as late as 2016 at age 91, underscoring painting as a sustained, non-commercial pursuit that channeled his competitive instincts into visual expression.[44] No formal exhibitions or sales of his art are documented, affirming its role as an avocational discipline rather than a career shift.[7]Death
Harold R. "Tubby" Raymond died on December 8, 2017, at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware, at the age of 92.[17] [35] In the preceding months, he had experienced complications from a leg injury sustained in a fall.[35] [46] A public memorial service took place on January 12, 2018, at the University of Delaware's Bob Carpenter Center, drawing hundreds of attendees including former players, family, and university affiliates.[47] Eulogies highlighted Raymond's integrity and influence, with former Vice President Joe Biden, who briefly played freshman football under him in 1961, describing him as a coach who instilled unyielding standards without embarrassment to his players.[43] [48]Legacy
Impact on football and University of Delaware
Under Tubby Raymond's tenure as head football coach from 1966 to 2001, the University of Delaware program transformed from a regional competitor into a national powerhouse at the Division II and later I-AA levels, amassing a record of 300 wins, 119 losses, and 3 ties.[35] This success included national championships in 1971 and 1972 under the AP and UPI small college divisions, along with 14 Lambert Trophy awards as the top Eastern small college team and 16 NCAA playoff appearances.[3] The Blue Hens secured six Yankee Conference titles and additional Atlantic 10 championships, elevating attendance and institutional investment in athletics; Delaware Stadium underwent expansions to accommodate growing crowds, reaching a capacity of over 20,000 by the 1990s.[49] In recognition of this growth, the field was renamed Tubby Raymond Field in 2002.[50] Raymond's adaptation of the Wing-T offense, emphasizing misdirection, motion, and personnel mismatches, became a hallmark of Delaware's strategy and influenced I-AA and lower-division programs by providing a blueprint for undersized teams to compete against superior athleticism.[21] This system, detailed in Raymond's coaching manuals, persisted in high school and FCS football for its emphasis on execution over raw talent, contributing to Delaware's consistent top-20 rankings and fostering a model for balanced, run-heavy attacks in non-Bowl Subdivision contexts.[51] Despite these achievements, the program did not transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) during Raymond's era, remaining in I-AA/FCS where resources and recruiting lagged behind major conferences; Delaware's move to FBS occurred only in 2025, joining Conference USA, highlighting the limitations of sustained small-school success without broader institutional escalation.[52] This positioned UD as a perennial contender but not a revenue-sport giant, with Raymond's innovations proving more enduring in strategic niches than in prompting divisional leaps.[6]Influence on players and coaching philosophy
Raymond's coaching philosophy centered on instilling core character traits such as determination, perseverance, discipline, integrity, and teamwork, viewing football as a vehicle for lifelong development rather than mere athletic achievement.[15] He prioritized mentoring players holistically, teaching humility in victory and grit in defeat, which former players described as foundational to their post-football success.[15] This approach contrasted with "win-at-all-costs" mentalities prevalent in some programs, as Raymond vetted recruits for alignment with these values, fostering loyalty and long-term commitment over short-term talent acquisition.[16] Testimonials from alumni underscore the causal link between this emphasis and resilient outcomes. Rich Gannon, a quarterback under Raymond from 1984 to 1986 who later enjoyed a 17-year NFL career, credited the coach's personal encouragement—such as uplifting words after disappointing performances—with shaping his mental fortitude and professional longevity.[25][43] Gannon noted Raymond's willingness to share knowledge openly, even in an era of guarded coaching secrets, which built trust and equipped players for adversity beyond the field.[53] Similarly, other former Blue Hens, including Raymond's son David, highlighted how the coach's disdain for losing was secondary to his love for developing individuals, producing alumni who carried lessons in hard work and role-modeling into their lives.[54][16] In the pre-transfer portal era, Raymond's method—recruiting for cultural fit and retaining players through rigorous development—yielded empirically verifiable resilience, evidenced by sustained program success and alumni testimonials attributing personal and professional achievements to these principles. While potentially slower to adapt to fleeting talent trends compared to modern high-turnover systems, the philosophy's focus on integrity avoided ethical shortcuts, correlating with enduring player loyalty and multiple national titles during his tenure from 1966 to 2002.[16][43]Coaching records
Football coaching record
Harold "Tubby" Raymond coached University of Delaware football from 1966 to 2001, achieving an overall record of 300 wins, 119 losses, and 3 ties across 36 seasons.[55] His teams secured three national championships—in 1971 and 1972 under the Associated Press and United Press International small college selections, and in 1979 as NCAA Division II champions—along with 16 NCAA playoff appearances and multiple conference titles after Delaware joined the Yankee Conference in 1986 and later the Atlantic 10.[56] [8] Raymond's annual records are summarized below, with national championship seasons denoted by an asterisk (*). Early years were in the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) before independence, followed by conference affiliation.| Year | Overall (W-L-T) | Conference Record & Finish | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 6-3-0 | 6-0 MAC (1st) | MAC Champions |
| 1967 | 2-7-0 | 2-3 MAC | None |
| 1968 | 8-3-0 | 5-0 MAC (1st) | MAC Champions, Lambert Cup Eastern Champions, Boardwalk Bowl |
| 1969 | 9-2-0 | 6-0 MAC (1st) | MAC Champions, Lambert Cup Eastern Co-Champions, Boardwalk Bowl |
| 1970 | 9-2-0 | Independent | Lambert Cup Eastern Champions, Boardwalk Bowl |
| 1971* | 10-1-0 | Independent | AP & UPI Small College National Champions, Lambert Cup Eastern Champions, Boardwalk Bowl |
| 1972* | 10-0-0 | Independent | AP & UPI Small College National Champions, Lambert Cup Eastern Champions |
| 1973 | 8-4-0 | Independent | NCAA College Division Playoffs, Lambert Cup Eastern Co-Champions |
| 1974 | 12-2-0 | Independent | NCAA Division II National Runner-Up, ECAC Team of the Year, Lambert Cup Eastern Champions |
| 1975 | 8-3-0 | Independent | None |
| 1976 | 8-3-1 | Independent | NCAA Division II Quarterfinals, ECAC Team of the Year, Lambert Cup Eastern Champions |
| 1977 | 6-3-1 | Independent | None |
| 1978 | 10-4-0 | Independent | NCAA Division II National Runner-Up, ECAC Team of the Year |
| 1979* | 13-1-0 | Independent | NCAA Division II National Champions, Lambert Cup Eastern Champions, ECAC Team of the Year |
| 1980 | 9-2-0 | Independent | None |
| 1981 | 9-3-0 | Independent | NCAA Division II Quarterfinals, ECAC Team of the Year |
| 1982 | 12-2-0 | Independent | NCAA I-AA National Runner-Up, ECAC Team of the Year, Lambert Cup Eastern Champions |
| 1983 | 4-7-0 | Independent | None |
| 1984 | 8-3-0 | Independent | None |
| 1985 | 7-4-0 | Independent | None |
| 1986 | 9-4-0 | 5-2 Yankee (T-1st) | NCAA I-AA Quarterfinals, Yankee Tri-Champions |
| 1987 | 5-6-0 | 2-5 Yankee (5th) | None |
| 1988 | 7-5-0 | 6-2 Yankee (T-1st) | NCAA I-AA First Round, Yankee Co-Champions |
| 1989 | 7-4-0 | 5-3 Yankee (4th) | None |
| 1990 | 6-5-0 | 5-3 Yankee (2nd) | None |
| 1991 | 10-2-0 | 7-1 Yankee (T-1st) | NCAA I-AA First Round, Yankee Tri-Champions, Lambert Cup Champions |
| 1992 | 11-3-0 | 7-1 Yankee (1st) | NCAA I-AA Semifinals, Yankee Champions, ECAC Team of the Year |
| 1993 | 9-4-0 | 6-2 Yankee (2nd) | NCAA I-AA Quarterfinals |
| 1994 | 7-3-1 | 5-3 Yankee (3rd) | None |
| 1995 | 11-2-0 | 8-0 Yankee (1st) | NCAA I-AA Quarterfinals, Yankee Champions, Lambert Cup Eastern Champions, ECAC Team of the Year |
| 1996 | 8-4-0 | 6-2 Yankee (2nd) | NCAA I-AA First Round |
| 1997 | 12-2-0 | 7-1 Atlantic 10 (2nd) | NCAA I-AA Semifinals, Lambert Cup Eastern Champions |
| 1998 | 7-4-0 | 4-4 Atlantic 10 (4th) | None |
| 1999 | 7-4-0 | 5-3 Atlantic 10 (4th) | None |
| 2000 | 12-2-0 | 7-1 Atlantic 10 (1st) | NCAA I-AA Semifinals, Atlantic 10 Champions, Lambert Cup Champions, ECAC Team of the Year |
| 2001 | 4-6-0 | 4-5 Atlantic 10 (6th) | None |