W. C. Gorden

W. C. Gorden
Biographical details
Born(1930-06-30)June 30, 1930
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedOctober 23, 2020(2020-10-23) (aged 90)
Playing career
Football
1948–1952Tennessee State
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1966–1976Jackson State (assistant)
1976–1991Jackson State
Baseball
1971–1972Jackson State
Head coaching record
Overall119–48–5 (football)
TournamentsFootball
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 (June 30, 1930 – October 23, 2020) was an American college football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Jackson State University from 1976 to 1991, compiling a record of 119–48–5. Gorden joined the Jackson State football staff as an assistant coach in 1966. He was named interim head coach during the 1976 season after the firing of Robert Hill.[1] His appointment as head coach was made permanent following the 1976 season.[2] Gorden was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2008. He was an alumnus of Tennessee State University.

Gorden died October 23, 2020, at the age of 90.[3]

Head coaching record

Football

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs AP/NCAA#
Jackson State Tigers (Southwestern Athletic Conference) (1976–1991)
1976 Jackson State 1–1[n 1] 1–1[n 1] T–4th
1977 Jackson State 8–3 5–1 2nd
1978 Jackson State 10–2 5–1 2nd L NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal 2
1979 Jackson State 8–3 4–2 T–3rd 8
1980 Jackson State 8–3 5–1 T–1st 8
1981 Jackson State 9–2–1 5–1 1st L NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal 4
1982 Jackson State 9–3 6–0 1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 8
1983 Jackson State 8–3 5–2 T–2nd 15
1984 Jackson State 4–5–1 3–4 5th
1985 Jackson State 8–3 6–1 T–1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 15
1986 Jackson State 9–3 7–0 1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 9
1987 Jackson State 8–3–1 7–0 1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 9
1988 Jackson State 8–1–2 7–0 1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 5
1989 Jackson State 8–4 5–2 T–2nd L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 17
1990 Jackson State 8–4 5–1 1st L NCAA Division I-AA First Round 16
1991 Jackson State 5–5 3–4 6th
Jackson State: 119–48–5 79–21
Total: 119–48–5
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

Notes

  1. ^ a b Robert Hill coached the first seven games of the 1976 season before he was fired. Gorden took over as interim head coach for the final two games. Jackson State finished 5–4 overall and 3–3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

References

  1. ^ "Jackson State coach relieved of duties". The Greenwood Commonwealth. Greenwood, Mississippi. United Press International. October 31, 1976. p. 14. Retrieved October 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  2. ^ "Jackson State grants Gorden regular post". The Pantagraph. Bloomington, Illinois. Associated Press. November 25, 1976. p. 38. Retrieved August 2, 2018 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  3. ^ "Legendary JSU football coach W.C. Gorden dies at 90". Mississippi Clarion Ledger. Retrieved October 24, 2020.