Robert Joseph Carpenter, Jr. (born April 20, 1955 in Lancaster, Ohio) is a former American football running back. He is the father of linebacker Bobby Carpenter, former University of Cincinnati linebacker Johnathan Carpenter, former Marshall University linebacker George Carpenter, and current Ohio defensive back Nathan Carpenter. He currently resides in Lancaster, Ohio and is a teacher and head coach of the Lancaster High School football team. He is a graduate of Miami University. He was best known for playing in the National Football League where he rushed for 4,363 yards in a ten-year career with the Houston Oilers, New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams.