Alvin Wyatt facts for kids

Alvin B. Wyatt (born December 13, 1947) is a famous American football player and coach. He played as a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). His teams included the Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Oilers. He also played in the World Football League (WFL) for the Jacksonville Sharks.

After his playing career, Wyatt became a successful football coach. He was the head coach at his old college, Bethune–Cookman University, from 1997 to 2009. Later, he coached at Edward Waters College from 2013 to 2017. Overall, his college football coaching record was 100 wins and 92 losses. He also coached women's basketball at Bethune–Cookman for many years.

Alvin Wyatt's Football Journey

Alvin Wyatt played college football at Bethune–Cookman University. He was chosen by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round of the 1970 NFL draft. He played for the Raiders for one year.

Playing for the Buffalo Bills

In 1971 and 1972, Wyatt played for the Buffalo Bills. During his time with the Bills, he made five interceptions and scored one touchdown. An interception is when a defensive player catches a pass meant for an offensive player.

Time with the Houston Oilers

After the Bills, Wyatt moved to the Houston Oilers in 1973. He played in only four games for the Oilers.

Joining the Jacksonville Sharks

In 1974, Wyatt joined the Jacksonville Sharks in the World Football League (WFL). He quickly became one of their top players. He even returned a punt for a touchdown on TV. This was the first touchdown in Jacksonville's professional football history! He also led the team with five interceptions. Sadly, the Sharks had money problems and stopped paying their players. The team then closed down in the middle of the season. After this, Wyatt decided to stop playing football.

Coaching Success and Impact

Alvin Wyatt became the head football coach at his old college, Bethune–Cookman University, in 1997. The team had struggled for many years before he arrived. Wyatt helped turn the program around.

The "Wyattbone" Offense

Coach Wyatt was known for his fun personality and stylish clothes on the sidelines. A big part of his success came from his special "Wyattbone" offense. This was a type of option offense that made his team very strong at running the ball. Even though they ran a lot, their passing game was also very good.

Strong Defense and Championships

Wyatt had a background in defense, and his teams in the 2000s had some of the best defenses in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). In 2002, Wyatt led Bethune–Cookman to win their first MEAC title all by themselves. They also shared the conference title in 2003.

Rivalry Wins and Playoff Appearances

Under Wyatt, Bethune–Cookman beat their longtime rival, Florida A&M University, in the annual Florida Classic in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007. Before this, Florida A&M usually won these games. Wyatt's teams also played in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 2002 and 2003. He is the coach with the most wins in the history of Bethune–Cookman's football program, with a record of 90 wins and 54 losses.

Inspiring Future NFL Players

Wyatt inspired many of his players who went on to play in the National Football League. These include Rashean Mathis (Jacksonville Jaguars), Nick Collins (Green Bay Packers), and Eric Weems (Atlanta Falcons). Mathis and Collins were the highest NFL draft picks ever from Bethune–Cookman. All three players were chosen for the NFL Pro Bowl, which is a special game for the best players. Other players who played for Wyatt and later in the NFL include Damion Cook and Steve Baggs.

Coaching at Edward Waters College

On December 10, 2013, Alvin Wyatt was named the head football coach at Edward Waters College. He coached there until 2017.