What Is 1938 Clemson Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1938 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson College during the 1938 college football season, finishing with a 6–4–1 record under head coach Frank Howard. They played in the Southern Conference and secured notable wins over South Carolina and Auburn.

Key Facts

The 1938 Clemson Tigers finished the season with a 6–4–1 overall record
Head coach Frank Howard was in his first year leading the team
Clemson played as a member of the Southern Conference in 1938
The team defeated rivals South Carolina 13–6 in Columbia
Home games were played at Riggs Field, Clemson’s primary stadium at the time

Overview

The 1938 Clemson Tigers football team marked the inaugural season under head coach Frank Howard, who would go on to become one of the most iconic figures in Clemson football history. Competing in the Southern Conference, the team showed promise in a transitional year, blending experienced players with emerging talent.

Despite a modest 6–4–1 final record, the season laid the foundation for future success under Howard’s leadership. The Tigers played a challenging schedule that included regional rivals and established programs, demonstrating resilience in close contests.

Frank Howard took over as head coach in 1938, beginning a 30-year tenure that would transform Clemson football into a national power by the 1970s and 1980s.
The team opened the season with a 13–0 victory over Furman, setting a strong tone and showcasing a disciplined defense early in the year.
Home games were held at Riggs Field, a multi-purpose stadium on campus that hosted football, baseball, and other events until the 1940s.
Clemson played six home games during the 1938 season, winning three, losing two, and tying one, reflecting a competitive but inconsistent performance on home turf.
The season concluded with a 13–6 win over South Carolina, preserving the rivalry’s intensity and giving Howard a victorious debut in the Palmetto Bowl.

Season Performance

The 1938 campaign featured a mix of dominant performances and narrow losses, highlighting both the team’s potential and areas needing improvement. Clemson faced a diverse slate of opponents, ranging from regional colleges to emerging powerhouses in the South.

Opponent: Furman – Clemson won 13–0 in the season opener, with a strong rushing attack and a shutout defense establishing early momentum.
Opponent: Carson-Newman – The Tigers won 20–6, improving to 2–0 as the offense found rhythm behind quarterback Charlie Timmons.
Opponent: Alabama – Clemson lost 7–0 to a strong Crimson Tide squad, demonstrating competitiveness despite the narrow margin against a top-tier team.
Opponent: Auburn – A 13–6 victory over Auburn in November was a key highlight, showcasing Clemson’s ability to defeat SEC-caliber opponents.
Opponent: Duke – The Tigers fell 14–7 in a close contest, highlighting missed opportunities and the need for improved offensive consistency.
Opponent: South Carolina – The season-ending 13–6 win in Columbia preserved Clemson’s pride and gave Frank Howard his first rivalry victory.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1938 season can be better understood by comparing Clemson’s performance to previous and subsequent years under Frank Howard’s leadership. The following table outlines key metrics across three pivotal seasons.

Season	Record (W-L-T)	Conference	Head Coach	Key Rival Win
1936	5–4–1	Southern Conference	Josh Cody	Lost to South Carolina
1938	6–4–1	Southern Conference	Frank Howard	Defeated South Carolina 13–6
1940	6–4–0	Southern Conference	Frank Howard	Defeated South Carolina 20–0
1959	9–2–0	Atlantic Coast Conference	Frank Howard	Defeated South Carolina 23–0
1967	7–4–0	ACC	Frank Howard	Defeated South Carolina 35–10

The progression from 1938 onward illustrates how Frank Howard steadily built Clemson into a more competitive program. While the 1938 record was only slightly better than previous years, it marked the beginning of a long-term upward trend that culminated in national prominence decades later.

Why It Matters

The 1938 season is historically significant as the starting point of Frank Howard’s legendary coaching career at Clemson. His leadership over the next three decades would define the program’s identity and elevate its national profile.

Frank Howard’s first season established a foundation for sustained success, eventually leading to Clemson’s first national championship in 1981.
The team’s victory over Auburn proved Clemson could compete with stronger Southern programs, boosting recruiting and fan confidence.
Playing in the Southern Conference placed Clemson among elite regional peers, including Tennessee and Georgia, before the ACC’s formation in 1953.
The use of Riggs Field reflected the modest facilities of the era, contrasting sharply with modern stadiums like Memorial Stadium.
Annual rivalry games against South Carolina reinforced regional pride and helped grow college football’s popularity in the Palmetto State.
The 1938 season exemplifies how a single year can mark the beginning of a transformative era, even without a championship title.

Though not a championship season, 1938 remains a cornerstone in Clemson football history, symbolizing the start of a legacy that continues to shape the program today.