Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Coach Rod Paige

By Devan Wade (KTSU Sports)

December 18, 2025– As the Texas Southern University community, the city of Houston, and countless others across the state and nation mourns the passing of Dr. Rod Paige last week, the tributes poured in from far and wide. His accomplishments and titles are far too numerous to list, but for many, his most meaningful title was simply “Coach.”

            Dr. Paige served as TSU head football coach for five seasons (1971–1975) and full-time athletic director through 1980, leaving an indelible mark on TSU athletics before transitioning into educational administration and later, national education leadership.

His contributions to education were vast and undeniable.  From Washington D.C. to the halls of H.I.S.D. campuses throughout Houston, Dr. Paige’s influence was widely felt and celebrated.  Yet for those who witnessed it firsthand, his ability to use sports as a vehicle to educate and empower student-athletes at Texas Southern is as important as any of his accomplishments.

Among those who both mourned and celebrated the life of Dr. Paige this week were two renowned sports media figures. Texas Radio Hall of Fame member Ralph Cooper and also Leonard Moon, who later assumed the role of color-analyst for TSU football broadcasts on KTSU.

“I remember his charisma and his innovation,” Cooper said.   “He constantly stressed education to his players—that was always the most important thing. He also made sure the athletes were put front and center.”

Cooper recalled that Dr. Paige was equally innovative in his role as athletic director. “He was ahead of his time when it came to promoting the program. Under Paige’s leadership, the Tigers played games in the Astrodome and participated in events that would be nearly unimaginable today.”

“He partnered with Prairie View for back-to-back games at Rice Stadium in an event called the ‘Double Bump.’ Those doubleheaders drew crowds of more than 40,000,” Cooper added.

In addition to being the athletic director and head football coach, Dr. Paige teamed up with the legendary radio personality, Rick Roberts, to broadcast TSU football on KTSU. 

Leonard Moon, alongside Vince Kannady had the task of following the duo of Roberts and Paige.  “When Rick Roberts stepped away (due to health issues) so did Dr. Paige and I inherited his seat in the booth,” said Moon. 

Moon said his first and fondest memory of Dr. Paige occurred during the 1974 season when TSU defeated Grambling State and the legendary Eddie Robinson in the Astrodome snapping a long losing streak to the G-men.  “That victory was huge for TSU. The Astrodome was electric that night!”

When it came to coaching, Dr. Paige had his hands full in the SWAC in those days according to Cooper.  “The SWAC was like the SEC back then. He coached against legends like Eddie Robinson (Grambling St.). W.C. Gordon (Jackson St.), Marino Casem (Alcorn St.) and even John Merritt at Tennessee State. They had more resources but under him, TSU was still able to win.”

 While the TSU athletic department plans to honor Dr. Paige in the near future, official details have yet to be announced. What remains certain, however, is that his legacy—as an educator, leader, and coach—are forever etched in the annals of TSU history for generations to come.