W. C. Gorden facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 30, 1930 Nashville, Tennessee |
| Died | October 23, 2020 (aged 90) |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1948–1952 | Tennessee State |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1966–1976 | Jackson State (assistant) |
| 1976–1991 | Jackson State |
| Baseball | |
| 1971–1972 | Jackson State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 119–48–5 (football) |
| Tournaments | Football 0–9 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Football 8 SWAC (1980–1982, 1985–1988, 1990) |
|
| College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 2008 (profile) |
|
William C. Gorden (born June 30, 1930 – died October 23, 2020) was a very important American college football player and coach. He played football at Tennessee State University. Later, he became a highly successful coach.
Coach Gorden is most famous for leading the football team at Jackson State University. He was their head coach from 1976 to 1991. During his time there, his teams won 119 games, lost 48, and tied 5. This made him one of the most successful coaches in the school's history.
Contents
Coach Gorden's Early Career
W. C. Gorden started his coaching journey at Jackson State University in 1966. He worked as an assistant coach, helping the main coach. This role allowed him to learn a lot about college football strategies.
In 1976, the head coach, Robert Hill, left the team. Gorden was then chosen to be the "interim" head coach. This means he took over temporarily. After the 1976 season, the university saw how well he did. They decided to make him the permanent head coach.
Success as Head Coach
As the head coach for the Jackson State Tigers, Gorden led his teams to many victories. He was known for building strong, winning teams. His leadership helped the Tigers become one of the top teams in their conference.
Championship Wins
Under Coach Gorden, the Jackson State Tigers won the SWAC championship eight times! This is a huge achievement. They won in these years:
- 1980
- 1981
- 1982
- 1985
- 1986
- 1987
- 1988
- 1990
These championships show how consistently good his teams were. They were often at the top of their league.
College Football Hall of Fame
Because of his amazing success and impact on college football, W. C. Gorden received a very special honor. In 2008, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of the greatest college football coaches ever. It's like being in a museum for sports legends!
Later Life
W. C. Gorden passed away on October 23, 2020, at the age of 90. He left behind a great legacy in college football. Many remember him for his dedication, his winning spirit, and his positive influence on young athletes.
