Former W. C. coach The Gorden program died Friday, according to the school.
He’s 90.
Jackson State Athletics Gorden’s death on Twitter Friday night.
“Words describe the feeling of this loss. The culture and excellence that W. C. Gorden has brought to JSU is unheard of and will continue for countless generations.
Gorden ran the JSU football program for 15 years, recording more victories than any coach in Tiger history.
Gorden led the Tigers from 1976 to 1991 and led the football team to 8 SWAC championships and nine appearances in the NCAA Division AI playoffs. He’s had a lost season.
The former coach also brought his hbCU national championship moment to college in 1985. He finished his rich career with an overall record of 119-48-5 and six-time SWAC Coach of the Year. Gorden was in the SWAC Hall of Fame in 1994 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
His team produced 29 NFL draft picks and several professional football players, in addition to Jimmy Smith.
The Nashville local played baseball and football in the state of Tennessee and served in the United States Army before starting his training career in 1956.
He was also named one of ESPN’s top 150 school football coaches of all time.
Last month, Jackson City Council voted unanimously to change jaycee Park’s name in his honor.
JSU coach Deion Sanders, who is expected to take over on December 1, posted his reaction on his Instagram page:
Words describe the feeling of this loss. W. C. Gorden’s culture and excellence brought to JSU is unheard of and will live through countless generations. Loved forever, never forgotten. Rest in peace❤️ pic. twitter. com/vV3KMDyEvN.
“Sir, we have lost great football and a pioneer of excellence. WCGorden was a wonderful leader, a man, a teacher, a mythical coach and a true game changer who championed the cause of “building on culture, opening new ground”Once regarded as the ”representative of all the smart in school football”, he established the popular while continually raising the bar to a point that I pray so that we could one day reach , while striving to regain the rich culture of domination and prominence, he established at JSU. Our minds and prayers are with all who have been touched by their presence and the ordinary gift of football. May God please your family, friends, and enjoyed people who have been blessed for having experienced this. FOOTBALL LEGEND. God bless you. “