| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 8, 1940 Springfield, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | January 7, 2018 (aged 77) Georgetown, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1958–1961 | Georgetown (KY) |
| Position(s) | Offensive lineman |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1962–1963 | Newport HS (KY) (assistant) |
| 1964–1968 | Glen Este HS (OH) |
| 1969–1972 | Georgetown (KY) (assistant) |
| 1973–1976 | Georgetown (KY) |
| 1977–1983 | Liberty Baptist |
| 1985–1995 | Cumberland (KY) |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1995–2002 | MSC (commissioner) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 111–107–4 (college) |
| Tournaments | 0–1 (NAIA D-II playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 2 MSC (1987–1988) | |
Thomas Walter Dowling (March 8, 1940 – January 7, 2018) was an American college football coach and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky from 1973 to 1976, Liberty Baptist College—now known as Liberty University—in Lynchburg, Virginia from 1977 to 1983, and Cumberland College—now known as the University of the Cumberlands—in Williamsburg, Kentucky from 1995 to 2002, compiling a career head coaching record of 111–107–4. Dowling was the commissioner of the Mid-South Conference (MSC) from 1995 to 2002.
A graduate of Georgetown College, Dowling coached for over 30 years on the collegiate level. His coaching tree includes Mike Ayers of Wofford College. Both Ayers' son, Travis Dowling, and his grandson, Ezra Dowling, are named for Dowling.