Legendary Jackson State football coach W.C. Gorden dies at 90
The former longtime coach of the Jackson State University football program W.C. Gorden died Friday, according to the school.
He was 90.
Jackson State Athletics announced Gorden's passing on Twitter Friday night.
"Words cannot describe the feeling of this loss. The tradition and excellence W.C. Gorden brought to JSU is unmatched and will live on through countless generations."
Gorden led the JSU football program for 15 years, posted more wins than any other coach in Tigers' history.
Gorden led the Tigers from 1976 to 1991 and guided the football team to eight SWAC championships and nine NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearances. He had just one losing season.
The former coach also brought the university its second HBCU national championship in 1985. He finished his storied career with a 119-48-5 overall record and was a six-time SWAC Coach of the Year. Gorden was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 1994 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
His team’s produced 29 NFL Draft picks and several pro football players, including Jimmy Smith.
The Nashville native played baseball and football at Tennessee State. He served in the U.S. Army before beginning his coaching journey in 1956.
He was also named to ESPN's Top 150 list of the greatest college football coaches of all time.
Last month, the Jackson City Council voted unanimously to rename Jaycee Park after him in his honor.
JSU football coach Deion Sanders, who is set to take over on Dec. 1, posted his reaction on his Instagram page:
"Lord we lost a football GIANT and a pioneer of excellence. W.C. Gorden was a great leader, man, teacher, legendary coach and a true Game Changer that championed the cause for 'building on tradition, blazing new trails.' Once deemed the 'representative of all that is good about college football,' he set the standard while continuously raising the bar to a level that I pray we can one day attain, while striving to bring back the rich tradition 'dominance and prominence' he established at JSU. Our thoughts and prayers to all of those that were impacted by his presence and extraordinary gift of football. God speed to his family, friends and loved ones that were blessed to have experienced this LEGEND of the football sidelines. God bless."