Harper graduated from O'Keefe High School in Atlanta, Georgia before moving on to play at Copiah Lincoln Community College.
Harper was never able to achieve much success and after a winless 2nd second season, announced his resignation shortly before the team's final game.
[4] Harper was then hired back at Amarillo High School, this time as the head coach with a salary of $9,200.
[5] In 1967, Harper was named Coach of the Year after his team posted a 10–0 regular season record before losing in the playoffs.
[7] He was an assistant at the University of Oklahoma from 1968 to 1982, where he coached linebackers such as Rod Shoate, George Cumby, and Daryl Hunt.