What Is 2011 Texas Southern Tigers football

Overview

The 2011 Texas Southern Tigers football team represented Texas Southern University during the 2011 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3–8 overall record and a 2–6 mark in conference play.

Head coach Johnnie Cole led the program in his second season, aiming to rebuild the Tigers’ competitiveness after several challenging years. Despite limited success on the field, the team maintained a strong presence in Houston and continued developing young talent for future seasons.

• Season Record: The Tigers posted a 3–8 overall record, their third consecutive losing season under Johnnie Cole, reflecting ongoing rebuilding efforts.
• Conference Performance: Texas Southern went 2–6 in SWAC play, with wins only against Prairie View A&M and non-conference opponent Mississippi Valley State.
• Home Venue: The team played home games at Shell Energy Stadium, a 22,000-seat venue in downtown Houston formerly known as Robertson Stadium.
• Head Coach: Johnnie Cole entered his second year in 2011, inheriting a program that had posted losing records in 10 of the prior 11 seasons.
• Offensive Struggles: The Tigers averaged only 16.5 points per game, ranking among the lowest in the FCS, due to inconsistent quarterback play and offensive line issues.

Season Performance Breakdown

The 2011 campaign was marked by missed opportunities and defensive vulnerabilities, though a few standout moments provided hope for improvement. The team opened the season with a tough 41–10 loss to Texas State but showed resilience in later non-conference matchups.

• Early Season Challenge: The Tigers lost their opener 41–10 to FBS-level Texas State, highlighting the difficulty of scheduling tougher opponents early.
• First Win: Texas Southern secured its first victory on September 24 with a 21–17 win over Mississippi Valley State, ending a nine-game losing streak.
• SWAC Debut: Their conference opener was a 31–17 loss to Alabama State, underscoring ongoing struggles against SWAC competition.
• Key Victory: On October 22, the Tigers defeated Prairie View A&M 24–21, marking their first SWAC win since 2009 and boosting morale.
• Defensive Issues: The team allowed an average of 31.8 points per game, with opponents frequently exploiting secondary weaknesses.
• Season Finale: The year ended with a 34–14 loss to Southern University, finishing the season on a three-game losing streak.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2011 Texas Southern Tigers compared to other SWAC teams in key performance categories:

The data shows Texas Southern ranked near the bottom of the SWAC in both scoring and defense. While they outperformed only Mississippi Valley State in wins, their point differential of –168 was among the worst in the conference, indicating significant gaps in performance.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was a transitional year that laid groundwork for future improvements, even amid on-field struggles. It highlighted the challenges of competing in a historically Black college football conference with limited resources and recruiting advantages.

• Player Development: Several underclassmen gained valuable experience, including quarterback Donovan Williams, who started all 11 games and threw for 1,412 yards.
• Recruiting Impact: The season influenced future recruiting classes, with the program focusing on local Houston talent to improve depth.
• Conference Standing: The 2–6 SWAC record kept Texas Southern from postseason contention but avoided last place in the West Division.
• Coaching Evaluation: The season prompted increased scrutiny on Johnnie Cole, who was eventually replaced after the 2012 season.
• Facility Advantage: Playing at Shell Energy Stadium provided exposure and a professional environment, aiding in player recruitment efforts.
• Historical Context: The 2011 season was part of a longer rebuilding phase that eventually led to improved performance in the mid-2010s.

While not a successful season by win-loss standards, the 2011 campaign served as a necessary step in the long-term development of Texas Southern’s football program.