Billy Gene Michael (February 28, 1935 – March 4, 2016) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) from 1977 to 1981. He compiled a 5–43 (.104) record,[1] which eventually led to his firing in 1981.[2] He lost 10 consecutive games twice, in periods from 1977 to 1978 and 1979 to 1980.[3]

Bill Michael
Biographical details
Born(1935-02-28)February 28, 1935
Rienzi, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedMarch 4, 2016(2016-03-04) (aged 81)
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
1956–1958Arkansas
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1959Arkansas (freshmen)
1960–1961Thomas Jefferson (TX) (assistant)
1962Sherman HS (TX) (assistant)
1963Caprock HS (TX) (line)
1964–1966Texas Western (DC)
1967–1968Oklahoma (DE)
1969–1972Oklahoma (OL)
1977–1981UTEP
1982-1985South Carolina (DL)
1986Texas (LB)
1987-1990Purdue (TE/OT)
1991Southern Miss (DL)
1992–1993Oklahoma State (OC)
1994North Texas (DC)
1995–1997North Texas (asst. HC)
1998–1999North Texas (DC)
2000North Texas (OL/TE)
Head coaching record
Overall5–43

Coaching career

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Michael's coaching career began at his alma mater, Arkansas, in 1959 when he coached the freshmen team. In 1960 and 1961 he worked as an assistant football coach at Thomas Jefferson High School, in Port Arthur, Texas, under head coach Clarence Underwood. In 1962 Michael moved to Sherman High School to serve as an assistant to Dave Smith. The following year, he joined the staff at the newly-formed Caprock High School, in Amarillo, Texas, as line coach.[4]

Michael coached at Oklahoma.[5] He served as a defensive coach at the University of South Carolina starting in 1982.[6]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing
UTEP Miners (Western Athletic Conference) (1977–1981)
1977 UTEP 1–10 0–7 8th
1978 UTEP 1–11 1–5 7th
1979 UTEP 2–9 0–7 8th
1980 UTEP 1–11 1–6 9th
1981 UTEP 0–2[n 1] 0–0[n 1] [n 1]
UTEP: 5–43 2–25
Total: 5–43

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Michael was fired after two games. Billy Alton served as interim head coach for the remaining nine games of the season. UTEP finished the season 1–10 overall, placing eighth in the conference with a mark of 1–6.

References

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  1. ^ UTEP 2010 Football Record Book (PDF). University of Texas at El Paso. 2010. p. 61. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  2. ^ "Alton Out, Yung In As UTEP's Coach". Observer-Reporter. December 16, 1981. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  3. ^ UTEP 2010 Football Record Book (PDF). University of Texas at El Paso. 2010. pp. 67–68. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  4. ^ Powell, Putt (April 10, 1963). "Cap' Coach". Amarillo Globe-Times. Amarillo, Texas. p. 11. Retrieved November 29, 2016 – via Newspapers.com  .
  5. ^ "Bill Michael Will Coach Sooner Line". The Telegraph-Herald. Associated Press. December 22, 1968. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  6. ^ "Morrison Adds Assistants". The Sumter Daily Item. Associated Press. December 16, 1982. Retrieved January 25, 2011.