Billy Kinard facts for kids
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Kinard from 1967 Seminole yearbook
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| Position: | Defensive back / halfback |
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| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 16, 1933 Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died: | July 2, 2018 (aged 84) Fort Payne, Alabama, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College: | Ole Miss |
| NFL Draft: | 1956 / Round: 2 / Pick: 25 |
| Career history | |
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| As coach: | |
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Billy Russell Kinard (born December 16, 1933 – died June 30, 2018) was an important person in American football. He was both a player and a coach. Billy Kinard played professionally as a defensive back for famous teams. These included the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers in the National Football League (NFL). He also played for the Buffalo Bills in the American Football League (AFL).
Before playing professionally, Kinard played college football at the University of Mississippi, often called Ole Miss. The Cleveland Browns picked him in the second round of the 1956 NFL Draft. He played professional football for four seasons, retiring in 1960. Later, Billy Kinard became a head football coach. He coached at Ole Miss from 1971 to 1973. He also coached at Gardner–Webb University in 1978. His total coaching record was 20 wins, 14 losses, and 1 tie.
Coaching Career Highlights
Billy Kinard had a long and interesting coaching career. He started by coaching high school football in Florida. Then, he became an assistant coach at several big colleges. These included Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Arkansas.
Coaching at Ole Miss
In 1970, Billy's older brother, Frank "Bruiser" Kinard, became the athletic director at Ole Miss. He hired Billy to be the new head coach for the Ole Miss Rebels football team.
A very important thing happened during Billy Kinard's time as head coach at Ole Miss. He was the coach when the football team welcomed its first African American players. This was a big step forward for the team and the university. It helped make college sports more fair and open to everyone.
Billy Kinard coached Ole Miss for three seasons. In 1971, his team had a great year, winning 10 games and losing only 2. They even won the Peach Bowl! After the third game of the 1973 season, another famous coach, Johnny Vaught, took over as head coach again.
Later Coaching Roles
After leaving Ole Miss, Billy Kinard continued coaching. He worked as a defensive backs coach for NFL teams. He coached for the Green Bay Packers from 1974 to 1975. Then, he coached for the Cleveland Browns from 1976 to 1977. In 1978, he returned to college coaching as the head coach at Gardner–Webb University. Finally, he coached defensive backs for the New England Patriots from 1979 to 1980.
See also
- List of American Football League players
