John Tankersley
- Born
- ?
- High School
- Colleges
- Coaching Record
- Titles
- PVILCA Inductee Class
- 1996
- Inductor
- Sport
Legendary Coach John W. Tankersley
John Tankersley began his coaching career in 1957 at Booker T. Washington High School in Houston, Texas. As first year head football coach at Booker T. his record was 9-1-1, winning a district championship. That same year he was named the outstanding Negro Football Coach in Texas. From Booker T. Washington, Coach Tankersley went to Worthing Senior High School where he became the first football coach and was responsible for the current school colors and mascot. While at Worthing his football and baseball teams produced exceptional records. In 1962, Tankersley joined the coaching staff of Pat Patterson at Jack Yates Senior High School. During the six years that he spent at Jack Yates as defensive coordinator, Yates won two State Football Championships and five district championships. Prior to leaving Yates he became the head baseball coach.
In July 1966, Tankersley was the executive promoter for the very successful Fifth Annual High School East-West All Star basketball and football games. This was held in conjunction with the Lone Star Coaches Association.
While Coach Tankersley enjoyed several successful years as a coach in Houston Independent School District, he always had a desire to coach on a college level. This career objective was achieved in 1968 when John Tankersley was hired as defensive football coach at Prairie View A&M University. His keen eye for athletic talent was quickly realized by Head Coach Alexander Durley, who appointed Coach Tankersley as chief recruiter. In 1970 Tankersley began coaching baseball at Prairie View. That same year his baseball team captured the NAIA Conference title. He was named Coach of the Year. In 1971, Tankersley accepted the position of athletic director and head baseball coach at Wiley College. After the football program did not materialize at Wiley College, Tankersley returned to Prairie View. During the last 24 years, Coach Tankersley has been chief architect of Prairie View A&M baseball. His list of accomplishments are a legend. His teams have won the NAIA district titles, four NAIA zone titles and in 1980 he was again voted Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.
Coach Tankersley commented that watching his players advance to the pro and semi-pro leagues place a strong emphasis on his role as a college baseball coach. Not only does Tankersley enjoy watching athletic advancement but academic advancement as well. Tankersley feels that "the need to succeed" in academics should be instilled in all athletes.
Coach Tankersley was inducted into the Prairie View A&M Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. In 1996, Tankersley was invited to the 1996 NCAA College World Series as a consultant.