Former Alabama Coach, AD and All-American Ray Perkins has Passed Away
12/9/2020 10:35:00 AM | Football
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Former Alabama head football coach, director of athletics and All-American wide receiver Ray Perkins passed away Wednesday morning. He was 79 years old.
Perkins lettered from 1964-66 as a wide receiver on two national championship squads and three Southeastern Conference championship teams. As a senior, he caught 33 passes for 490 yards and seven touchdowns, earning All-America honors as he capped his final season with 178 yards receiving in the Crimson Tide's 34-7 Sugar Bowl win over Nebraska.
He went on to be drafted by the Baltimore Colts and played in the NFL for five years, including appearances in Super Bowls III and V. After his playing career, Perkins established himself as a head coach, beginning with the New York Giants from 1979-82.
Perkins succeeded Paul "Bear" Bryant as Alabama's head coach and director of athletics, compiling a 32-15-1 record and three bowl victories from 1983-86. He followed that with a stint as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1987-90 and as head coach at Arkansas State in 1992. Perkins also had assistant coaching stops in the NFL with the New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns.
Perkins was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1990, the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame in 2005 and was named Alabama's SEC Football Legend in 2019.
Comments on Ray Perkins
Nick Saban, Head Football Coach
"Ray Perkins was a great friend and an outstanding football coach who served The University of Alabama with true class and integrity. Coach Perkins was a great leader who had a tremendous impact on the game of football at all levels. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Lisa, and his children Tony, Mike, Rachael and Shelby."
Greg Byrne, Director of Athletics
"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Perkins. Just a year ago we were celebrating him as our SEC Football Legend in Atlanta, an honor he was truly deserving of. Coach Perkins served in every possible capacity of Alabama Athletics as an All-American football player, head coach and athletics director, and he will certainly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Lisa, and children Tony, Mike, Rachael and Shelby, extended family and friends during this time."
Dr. Stuart R. Bell, UA President
"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Ray Perkins. Ray was a great ambassador for The University of Alabama and we will be forever grateful for his impact on the Capstone."
