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 ConferenceStanding 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 8–35–12nd
1978 Jackson State 10–25–12ndL NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal2
1979 Jackson State 8–34–2T–3rd8
1980 Jackson State 8–35–1T–1st8
1981 Jackson State 9–2–15–11stL NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal4
1982 Jackson State 9–36–01stL NCAA Division I-AA First Round8
1983 Jackson State 8–35–2T–2nd15
1984 Jackson State 4–5–13–45th
1985 Jackson State 8–36–1T–1stL NCAA Division I-AA First Round15
1986 Jackson State 9–37–01stL NCAA Division I-AA First Round9
1987 Jackson State 8–3–17–01stL NCAA Division I-AA First Round9
1988 Jackson State 8–1–27–01stL NCAA Division I-AA First Round5
1989 Jackson State 8–45–2T–2ndL NCAA Division I-AA First Round17
1990 Jackson State 8–45–11stL NCAA Division I-AA First Round16
1991 Jackson State 5–53–46th
Jackson State: 119–48–579–21
Total:119–48–5
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

Notes

  1. 1 2 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.
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