Robert "Big Bob" Hill (c. 1934 – May 17, 2016) was an American football and baseball coach. He served as the head football coach at Jackson State University from 1971 to 1976, compiling a record of 44–15–1. Hill's winning percentage of .742 is the second highest of any head coach in the history of the Jackson State Tigers football program. During his tenure at Jackson State, he mentored future Pro Football Hall of Famers Walter Payton and Jackie Slater. Hill was fired from his post during the 1976 season and replaced by his assistant, W. C. Gorden.[1]
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1934 |
| Died | May 17, 2016 (aged 81) |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| ?–1955 | Jackson State |
| 1956 | Baltimore Colts |
| 1956 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Position(s) | Fullback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1959–1960 | Magee HS (MS) |
| 1961–1962 | Rowan HS (MS) |
| 1963–1970 | Jackson State (assistant) |
| 1971–1976 | Jackson State |
| Baseball | |
| c. 1970 | Jackson State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 44–15–1 (college football) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Football 3 SWAC (1972–1973, 1975) | |
| Awards | |
| SWAC Coach of the Year (1971) | |
Hill played college football at Jackson State and was selected in the 20th round of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. He was the first Jackson State player to sign a National Football League (NFL) contract. Hill was released by the Colts and signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in August 1956.[2] After coaching at Magee High School and Rowan High School in Mississippi, Hill joined the Jackson State football staff in 1963 and worked as an assistant under Edward Clemons, Rod Paige, and Ulysses S. McPherson. Hill also coached baseball at Jackson State.[3][4]
Head coaching record edit
College football edit
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson State Tigers (Southwestern Athletic Conference) (1971–1976) | |||||||||
| 1971 | Jackson State | 9–1–1 | 4–1–1 | 2nd | |||||
| 1972 | Jackson State | 8–3 | 5–1 | T–1st | |||||
| 1973 | Jackson State | 9–2 | 5–1 | T–1st | |||||
| 1974 | Jackson State | 7–3 | 4–2 | 2nd | |||||
| 1975 | Jackson State | 7–3 | 4–2 | T–1st | |||||
| 1976 | Jackson State | 4–3[n 1] | 2–2[n 1] | [n 1] | |||||
| Jackson State: | 44–15–1 | 24–9–1 | |||||||
| Total: | 44–15–1 | ||||||||
| National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||
Notes edit
- ^ a b c Hill coached the first seven games of the 1976 season before he was fired. W. C. Gorden served as interim head coach for the final two games. Jackson State finished 5–4 overall and 3–3 in conference play, tying for fourth place in the SWAC.
References edit
- ^ "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
.
- ^ "Fullback Bob Hill, Ex-Jackson College Gridder, To Steelers". The Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. Associated Press. August 21, 1956. p. 19. Retrieved October 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ Morgan, Paul (September 8, 1961). "Rowan opens here tonight". Hattiesburg American. Hattiesburg, Mississippi. p. 4B. Retrieved October 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ "Ulysses S. McPherson Is Replaced At J-State". The Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. December 20, 1970. p. G1. Retrieved October 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
- ^ Morales, Antonio (May 17, 2016). "Former Jackson State football coach Bob Hill dies". The Clarion-Ledger. Jackson, Mississippi. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
- ^ "Family, friends bid final farewell to former JSU head football Coach Bob Hill, 81". Jackson, Mississippi: Jackson State University Newsroom. May 26, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
External links edit
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com