Willie Jeffries

College coach infobox
Name = Willie Jeffries


Caption =
DateOfBirth =
Birthplace = Union, South Carolina
United States
DateOfDeath =
Sport = College football
College =
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CurrentRecord =
OverallRecord = 179-132-6
Awards =
CFbDWID =
Player =
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Coach = Trigger
CoachYears = 1973-1978
1979-1983
1984-1988
1989-2001
CoachTeams = South Carolina State
Wichita State
Howard
South Carolina State
FootballHOF =

Willie Jeffries, a native of Union, South Carolina was a college football coach. In his 29-year career, Jeffries compiled a 179-132-6 record. He coached 19 years at his alma mater South Carolina State University (SCSU) in two stints, five years at Wichita State University, and five years at Howard University. Jeffries won almost 60 percent of the college games he coached, which made him the "winningest coach" in the 107-year history of SCSU and owner of more MEAC victories than any other coach.

Coaching records

outh Carolina State University

His record includes three Black National Championships, seven Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships, several post-season appearances, and numerous coaching awards. [cite web|url=http://www.scafricanamericanhistory.com/currenthonoree.asp?month=9&year=2005|title=SC African-American History Online ]

Wichita State University

When Jeffries took over Wichita State in 1979, he became the first African American to coach a Division I-A University. ["Willie Jeffries." "SportsCentury". February 22, 2002. ESPN ] He is the only man to coach against both Eddie Robinson of Grambling State University and Paul "Bear" Bryant of the University of Alabama.

Jeffries was the 32nd head college football coach for the Wichita State University Shockers located in Wichita, Kansas and he held that position for five seasons, from 1979 until 1983. His 1982 team's record of 8-3 would prove to be the last winning season in Wichita State history as the program was discontinued after the 1986 season. His overall coaching record at Wichita State was 21 wins, 32 losses, and 2 ties. This ranks him third at Wichita State in terms of total wins and 21st at Wichita State in terms of winning percentage. [cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/discontinued/w/wichita_state/coaching_records.php |title=Wichita St. Coaching Records ]

References