Harold "Tubby" Raymond
Former Head Football Coach at the University of Delaware

By Josh Gabriel

Harold "Tubby" Raymond is a coaching legend -- a member of the Collegiate Hall Of Fame -- and a leader of men. Everywhere within the confines of the State of Delaware, and even moreso on the campus of the University of Delaware, Coach Raymond is an institution. Like Dean Smith in Chapel Hill and Bear Bryant in Alabama, Coach Raymond's elite football program is matched only by his renowned integrity.

Tubby Raymond coached football for an unprecedented seven decades. Over that span he amassed countless awards and accolades, won three Division I-AA national championships and, while in his 36th year at the University of Delaware, he became only the ninth coach in collegiate history to garner 300 victories.

Perhaps most important, though, are the relationships Raymond has forged. He has helped shape the lives of thousands of young men, many of whom still look to him for answers. His players have gone on to successful careers in almost every imaginable industry, including at least one within the art and framing arena.

Todd Hranicka, Framerica's vice president of sales, played under Raymond in the late 1980's, as a standout defensive end. "The legend of Tubby Raymond is well known throughout college football," says Hranicka. "He is a stunning example of being the best...a consummate teacher and mentor. He not only taught me about football but about life as well."

Art played an integral role in Raymond's coaching from the beginning. When he was a young assistant coach at the University of Delaware, head coach Dave Nelson asked his assistants to create cartoon sketches as a way to "build closer relationships with their players" and to "lighten the atmosphere."

That, of course, came easy to Raymond who had grown up painting portraits of "Abraham Lincoln, or anyone else I could find." After several weeks of cartooning, he shifted to portraits -- a transition the players seemed to like. Then he began painting the players themselves. His career as a painter had officially begun.

Since then, Coach Raymond has painted every starter during their respective senior seasons. Each painting featured the player's likeness, the Blue Hen mascot and an inspirational saying - something that both player and team would identify with that week's opponent. Upon completion (usually on the Thursday before the game) the portraits were hung in the Delaware Football locker room. "When I look at my painting, it brings back great memories of my playing days at Delaware," says Hranicka. "It's something I will always treasure."

The hundreds of acrylic paintings have not always been an easy task. For many years, the Coach used pictures taken from the team's media guide (his more recent works were created using pictures he had taken himself). During busy weeks he was often pressed for time - having to complete a portrait in less than 45 minutes. "I feel my work improved over the years," says Raymond. "There were some portraits early on that were rushed and I actually wrote apologies to the player's mother." Today, he's an accomplished portrait artist with a full calendar. Tubby's only concern is that "taking on more work will cut into my golf game."

Raymond is considered one of the greatest coaches in college football history. And the media has certainly taken notice of his accomplishments, both on the field and at the easel. In fact, his paintings have been featured on ABC's Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Sports Illustrated, CNN and Fox Sports. And it's no surprise. Art, like football, has become his passion.

Since his retirement following the 2001 season, Coach Raymond has had the opportunity to devote more time to painting. "These days I paint every day," he said. "Painting has always been refreshing - like a cold shower." Today, his talents are in demand. He has been commissioned to paint a school superintendent (having the opportunity to choose any artist, the superintendent specified Raymond).

He has also painted, on request, four American Football Association directors. He is currently busy working on portraits for the University. While his paintings now occupy some prominent wall space, they also can be seen "next door." The Coach has agreed to paint his neighbor's kids.

Every day, throughout the country, whether at home or in their offices, former University of Delaware football players enjoy the artwork Tubby Raymond has provided. It's the opportunity to reminisce - to relive the Saturdays of their college days and the camaraderie it produced.

All the while, Coach Raymond is smiling. Whether in his studio or on the golf course, he is still impacting the lives of his players. In the eyes of his players and all the "Blue Hen Faithful," Tubby Raymond just may be one of the most influential artists of our time.

For more information on Coach Raymond or for information on commissioning his work, please contact the University of Delaware.

Raymond's portrait of Grant Teaff, Executive Director of the American Football Coaches Association.

Cartoon sketches (like the one above) led to elaborate and beautiful portraits.

Legendary Delaware Coach Bill Murray.

Todd Hranicka (right), Framerica's Vice President of Sales, played under Raymond in the 1980's as a standout defensive end. That's Tubby on the left.

"Tubby," retired from football since 2001, can devote more time to his second career ­ painting