Former Rice University football head coach and standout player Ray Alborn has died at the age of 87. The university announced his passing on Thursday, marking the end of an era for the Owls program. Alborn served as the head coach from 1978 to 1983, guiding the team through a transitional period in college football. While his overall record on South Main Street stood at 13-53, his tenure produced a memorable highlight reel that resonates with Rice fans to this day.
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Alborn’s most successful campaign came in 1980, when he led the Owls to a 5-6 record that included significant victories over powerhouse programs. That season, Rice defeated LSU, TCU, Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Houston, signaling a competitive resurgence for the program. Before taking the head coaching role, Alborn had already established deep roots with the university, serving as a defensive line coach under Al Conover in 1972 and later as defensive coordinator for Homer Rice. His coaching background was extensive, having started in Houston-area junior high schools and serving as head coach at Sharpstown High School beginning in 1969.
Alborn’s connection to Rice began on the field in 1957, when he signed on as a player after a standout high school career at Houston Lamar. As a junior, he started at defensive tackle and helped propel the Owls to the Sugar Bowl, earning a captaincy during his senior year. Following his time at Rice, Alborn continued his coaching career in the professional ranks, working with Jack Pardee to coach defensive tackles for the Houston Gamblers during the USFL’s inaugural season. His death leaves a lasting imprint on the history of Rice athletics, bridging the gap between the program’s mid-century success and its modern identity.
Source: Yahoo Sports
