Hall of Fame

Franklin Purnell

  • Class
  • Induction
    1996
  • Sport(s)
    Football
  • Alcorn State
Personal & playing career
  • Born April 5, 1933, in Sweatman, Mississippi, U.S.
  • Played college football at Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University).
  • In 1957, played professionally in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers as a fullback: 5 rushing attempts for 22 yards; 2 receptions for 16 yards.
Coaching & Alcorn State tenure
  • Purnell served as head football coach at Alcorn A&M / Alcorn State from 1960 to 1963.
  • His overall record as head coach was 14 wins, 20 losses.
  • Season-by-season Breakdown at Alcorn:
    • 1960: record 3-4-0
    • 1961: record 5-4-0
    • 1962: record 4-5-0
    • 1963: record 3-7-0 (0-7 in conference)
  • In the historical list of Alcorn State football head coaches, Purnell’s tenure is clearly documented.