Bill Peterson
Peterson (right) with University of Florida assistant coach Gene Ellenson in 1961
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| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
May 14, 1920 Toronto, Ohio |
| Died | August 5, 1993 (aged 73) |
| Playing career | |
| 1945 | Ohio Northern |
| Position(s) | End |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1955–1959 | LSU (assistant) |
| 1960–1970 | Florida State |
| 1971 | Rice |
| 1972–1973 | Houston Oilers |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1970–1971 | Rice |
| 1982–1985 | UCF |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 65–49–12 (college) 1–18 (NFL) |
William E. "Bill" Peterson (May 15, 1920 – August 5, 1993) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. His career included head coaching stops at Florida State University, Rice University and with the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL). Considered one of the unique characters in college sports, Peterson is credited with bringing the pro passing game to college football. He is also known as the "Coach of Coaches", having tutored such coaches as Joe Gibbs, Bill Parcells, Bobby Bowden, Don James, Dan Henning, Ken Meyer and many others. Coach "Pete", as he was known, is also remembered for his reshaping of the English language. One of his more novel expressions was to have his team "pair off in groups of threes, then line up in a circle." Beyond his trials with syntax, Peterson is best remembered for bringing the Seminoles to the forefront of college football, using pro-style offenses and a much feared passing game.
Born in Toronto, Ohio, Bill Peterson was the youngest of six children. When his father died at the age of twelve, Peterson thought his dream of coaching had died as well. He recounted those feelings in his book, Building from the Start:
"Visions of playing and someday coaching football would walk through my mind. I would bite my lip, fight back the tears, and roll my face into the pillow. "Bill Peterson", I would say, "You have no right to think about such things. They are for other people." Finally, I would sleep, but the dreams would fill my young mind. I'm glad they did."
Peterson persevered and ultimately earned a degree from Ohio Northern University in 1946. Playing end on the football team, Peterson was selected as a team captain. It was there that he met his wife, Marge, with whom he would be married for 52 years. Together, the couple had five sons. His second youngest son, Bill Jr., is currently the athletics director at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia. Peterson's brother, Jack Peterson, was the head football coach at Wofford College from 1971 until 1973.
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