Willie Smith (American football coach) facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 30, 1931 Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | August 22, 2016 (aged 84) |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1960s | Hampton (assistant) |
| 1967 | Norfolk State |
| 1968–1970 | Maryland State / Maryland Eastern Shore (assistant) |
| 1971–1972 | Maryland Eastern Shore |
| 1973–1977 | North Carolina Central |
| Basketball | |
| 1961–1962 | Hampton |
| Track | |
| c. 1960 | Hampton (assistant) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 35–35–5 (football) 7–16 (basketball) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Football 1 MEAC (1973) |
|
Willie Sherrod Smith Jr. (born November 30, 1931 – died August 22, 2016) was a well-known American coach. He coached both American football and basketball teams at the college level. Coach Smith led teams at several universities during his career. He was known for his dedication to college sports.
Contents
Willie Smith's Coaching Journey
Willie Smith had a long and interesting career in college sports. He started as an assistant coach. Later, he became a head coach for both football and basketball. His journey took him to different universities.
Early Coaching Years
Smith began his coaching career in the 1960s. He worked as an assistant coach for the Hampton Pirates football team. He also helped coach the track team around that time. In the 1961–62 season, he took on a new role. He became the head basketball coach for the Hampton Pirates men's basketball team. During that season, his team had a record of 7 wins and 16 losses.
Head Football Coach Roles
Willie Smith became a head football coach at several colleges. Each stop added to his experience and record.
Norfolk State Spartans
In 1967, Coach Smith became the head football coach at Norfolk State University. At that time, it was known as Norfolk State College. He coached the Spartans for one season. His team finished with 4 wins and 4 losses. They played in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks
From 1971 to 1972, Smith coached the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks. This team was part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). In 1971, the team had 1 win, 5 losses, and 2 ties. The next year, in 1972, they improved their record to 4 wins and 5 losses.
North Carolina Central Eagles
Smith's longest coaching period was with the North Carolina Central Eagles. He coached their football team from 1973 until partway through the 1977 season. This was a significant time for him.
In 1973, his team had a great season. They won 7 games and lost 4. They also won the MEAC championship that year. This was a big achievement for Coach Smith and the team. Over his time with the Eagles, his overall record was 26 wins, 21 losses, and 3 ties.
Overall Coaching Achievements
Throughout his career as a head football coach, Willie Smith had an overall record of 35 wins, 35 losses, and 5 ties. He was a dedicated coach who helped college athletes grow.
Willie Smith passed away on August 22, 2016, at the age of 84. He left behind a legacy in college sports.
