| Loyd Roberts | |
| Birth Date: | 1907 |
| Birth Place: | Stigler, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Death Date: | (aged 82) |
| Death Place: | Johnson City, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Player Sport1: | Football |
| Player Years2: | 1929–1930 |
| Player Team2: | Tulane |
| Player Sport3: | Basketball |
| Player Years4: | 1928–1931 |
| Player Team4: | Tulane |
| Player Positions: | Center (football) |
| Coach Sport1: | Football |
| Coach Years2: | c. 1931–1940 |
| Coach Team2: | Homer HS (LA) |
| Coach Years3: | 1941 |
| Coach Team3: | Arkansas State Teachers |
| Coach Years4: | 1944 |
| Coach Team4: | Iowa State (line) |
| Coach Years5: | 1946 |
| Coach Team5: | VMI (line) |
| Coach Years6: | 1947–1951 |
| Coach Team6: | East Tennessee State |
| Coach Sport7: | Basketball |
| Coach Years8: | c. 1931–1941 |
| Coach Team8: | Homer HS (LA) |
| Coach Years9: | 1941–1942 |
| Coach Team9: | Central Arkansas |
| Coach Years10: | 1946–1947 |
| Coach Team10: | VMI |
| Coach Years11: | 1947–1948 |
| Coach Team11: | East Tennessee State |
| Admin Years1: | 1941–1942 |
| Admin Team1: | Arkansas State Teachers |
| Admin Years2: | 1947–1953 |
| Admin Team2: | East Tennessee State |
| Overall Record: | 26–26–2 (college football) 36–25 (college basketball) |
| Awards: |
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Loyd Thomas "Preacher" Roberts (1907 – July 4, 1989) was an American college football and college basketball player and coach. He played football and basketball at Tulane University. Roberts served as the head football coach at Arkansas State Teachers College—now known as the University of Central Arkansas in 1941 and East Tennessee State College—now known as East Tennessee State University—from 1947 to 1951, compiling a career college football coaching record of 26–26–2. He was also the head basketball coach at Arkansas State Teachers in 1941–42, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1946–47, and East Tennessee State in 1947–48, tallying a career college basketball mark of 36–25.
Roberts played both football and basketball for the Tulane Green Wave of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. His brother, Floyd Roberts, was called "Little Preacher" and played as a halfback for Tulane next to Don Zimmerman.[1]
Roberts was a prominent center for Tulane Green Wave football team, including the Southern Conference (SoCon) championship football teams of 1929 and 1930, quarterbacked by Red Dawson. Roberts wore number 45.
Roberts anchored the line on the undefeated SoCon champion 1929 team.[2]
Roberts was elected captain of the 1930 team.[3] [4] He was selected All-Southern.[5]
Roberts spent a year coaching for the Central Arkansas Bears, compiling a record of 3–6.[6]
After serving in the United States Navy as a lieutenant during World War II, Roberts was hired as line coach at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), working under head football coach Pooley Hubert.[7]
Roberts spent five seasons as the head football coach at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee from 1947 to 1951, compiling a record of 23–20–2. He also served as the basketball coach for one season in 1947–48 and was the athletic director from 1947 to 1953.[8]
Thomas died on July 4, 1989, at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee.[9]