Frank Howard, was a college football player and coach. He played college football for Alabama. After a career-ending injury, Howard joined the staff at Clemson and became head coach in 1939. Howard would coach the Clemson Tigers for 30 years, amassing the 15th most wins of any college football coach. He led Clemson to ten bowl games, an undefeated season in 1949, and several Top-20 rankings during his tenure as head coach.

During his stay at Clemson, Howard also oversaw the athletic department, ticket sales, and was an assistant coach for the baseball team. He has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Clemson Ring of Honor. The playing surface at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium is named after him.  The famous Howard’s Rock was given to Coach Frank Howard by a friend who picked it up in Death Valley, CA. 

After that the team in 1966 touched the rock on a pedestal on top of the hill before a game against Virginia and won.  Touching the rock became regular tradition in the beginning of the 1967 season. The current game day entrance is considered one of the more electric and coolest traditions in college football.