Alvin Wyatt facts for kids

Alvin B. Wyatt, born on December 13, 1947, is a well-known American football player and coach. He played professionally as a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL). He played for teams like 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 coach. He was the head football coach at his old college, Bethune–Cookman University, from 1997 to 2009. He also coached at Edward Waters College from 2013 to 2017. Overall, his college football coaching record was 100 wins and 92 losses. Besides football, he was also the head women's basketball coach at Bethune–Cookman for many years.

Playing Football: Alvin Wyatt's 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. Being "drafted" means a professional team picked him to join their team.

Wyatt played for the Raiders for one year. In 1971 and 1972, he joined the Buffalo Bills. During his time with the Bills, he made five interceptions and scored one touchdown. An interception happens when a defensive player catches a pass meant for an offensive player. A touchdown is worth six points and is a major score in football.

In 1973, he moved to the Houston Oilers. He played in only a few games for the Oilers. In 1974, Wyatt joined the Jacksonville Sharks in the World Football League (WFL). He quickly became one of their best players. He even returned a punt for a touchdown on national TV. This was the first touchdown in Jacksonville's professional football history! He also led the team with five interceptions. Unfortunately, the Sharks team faced financial problems and stopped playing. Alvin Wyatt then decided to retire as a player.

Coaching Career: Turning Teams Around

Alvin Wyatt became the head football coach at his old college, Bethune–Cookman, in 1997. The team had struggled for 12 years before he arrived. Wyatt helped turn the program around. He was known for his exciting personality and flashy clothes on the sidelines.

A big part of his success came from his special "Wyattbone" offense. This was a unique way of playing that focused on strong running plays. His team became very good at rushing the ball. Even though he came from a defensive background, his defenses were also top-ranked 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. Under Wyatt, Bethune–Cookman often beat their big rival, Florida A&M University, in the yearly Florida Classic game. They won in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2007.

Wyatt is the coach with the most wins in Bethune–Cookman's football history. He had a record of 90 wins and 54 losses there. He also inspired many players who went on to play in the NFL. These players include Rashean Mathis, Nick Collins, and Eric Weems. All three of them were chosen for the NFL Pro Bowl, which is a special game for the league's best players.

On December 10, 2013, Wyatt was named the head football coach at Edward Waters College.

See Also

• List of college football coaches with 100 wins

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