Hall of Fame
When Ranger fans talk about the toughest players to ever wear a Red and Black uniform, Dr. Chandler Mead is usually part of the discussion. He carried that enthusiasm for the game as player into a brilliant coaching career.
A native of Woodward, Mead anchored the defense from his linebacker position as a four-year starter.
Known for his physical style of play, he earned All-Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference honors for his efforts.
Mead earned his bachelor’s degree in 1985 and joined the Northwestern staff in 1987 as a graduate assistant. He finished a master’s degree in 1990. He spent three seasons working as a graduate assistant before becoming a full-time defensive line coach. His success there earned a promotion to defensive coordinator in 1993, where he served until 1998.
Under Mead’s leadership, Northwestern’s defensive units earned a reputation for excellence. They were ranked No. 1 in the NAIA for total defense in both 1996 and 1998. In those two seasons, Mead coached an unprecedented seven different NAIA All-America defensive players. In 1996, Mead was named the NAIA National Defensive Coach of the Year by American Football Quarterly.
The 1998 defensive unit was perhaps the best in school history. They ranked No. 1 in total defense, giving up just 10 points and 191 total yards per game. The gave up only 79 yards rushing per game, best in the NAIA , and ranked second in pass defense, holding the opposition to just 112 yards per game. That unit coined the phrase “Black Cloud Defense.”
That season helped set the stage for his greatest memory at Northwestern – watching the 1999 team winning the NAIA National Championship. Even though he was not part of the coaching staff, he says it is his proudest moment.
After leaving his coaching position, Mead served as director of the J.W. Holder Wellness Center, and an instructor in the Health and Sports Science Education department, where he currently serves as chair. He earned his doctorate from Oklahoma State University in 2007.
Dr. Mead and his wife Karen have two children, Marcus and Tylar, and currently reside in Alva.
