2012 Inductee
BILLY ATKINS When Troy State University hired a 31-year-old head football coach in January 1966 after a 1-8 season in 1965, what happened over the next six seasons seemed impossible. Billy Atkins proved to be the right man for the job, as he needed just six years to make his mark on the history books, including the school’s first football national championship. In his third season, Atkins guided the Red Wave to the 1968 NAIA National Championship with an 11-1 record. He coached fellow Troy University Sports Hall of Fame inductee Sim Byrd to one of the most historic seasons in Troy football history, including 527 passing yards and 11 touchdowns in Troy State’s two playoff wins. “We had no idea just how young he was.” Byrd said. “To us he was a gentleman that had been around football for years. We looked at him as the elder statesman.” Atkins was named the NAIA National Coach of Year after the Red Wave defeated Texas A&I 45-35 to complete their national championship run in 1968, and he made a mark on the nation with his high-powered offense. “Coach Atkins was so far ahead of his time,” Byrd said. “We were running the west coast offense in the late 1960’s.” Atkins won his first championship with the Red Wave “He (Atkins) changed my life. There isn’t a day that in his second season (1967) when his team posted an 8-2 overall record, including a 3-0 mark in the Alabama Collegiate goes by that I don’t use something I learned playing Conference. That marked the first of three consecutive ACC at Troy. I think that goes, not only for myself, but for championships for Atkins who was named the NAIA District 27 a lot of the guys that played for him.” Coach of the Year in recognition of the Red Wave’s efforts in 1967. Atkins added his second ACC title and second District - Sim Byrd Coach of the Year award in 1968 to go along with the national Troy State quarterback (1966-68) accolades, but there was no let down in 1969 as Atkins and the Red Wave claimed their third consecutive ACC crown. Atkins closed his Troy State career with a pair of six-win seasons in 1970 and 1971 as the Red Wave transitioned to NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference. In fact, Atkins left Troy as a champion, capturing the 1971 GSC championship in his last season at Troy State. He finished his career with a 44-16-2 overall record and his teams won conference titles in four of his six seasons with a combined 19-4 conference record. His 44 career victories rank as the second most in University history behind fellow Hall of Fame inductee Larry Blakeney. However, it wasn’t Atkins’ accolades and championships that made him the right man for Troy State, he instilled a way of life into his players. “Coach Atkins was a disciplinarian with strict guidelines and high standards,” Byrd said. “If you met his standards and stayed within his guidelines, you were fine. He didn’t pick favorites. “He changed my life,” Byrd added. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t use something I learned playing at Troy. I think that goes, not only for myself, but for a lot of the guys that played for him.” Already a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Atkins also served in the dual role of football coach and athletic director from 1969 to 1971 before leaving Troy State to coach in the professional ranks for Buffalo, Detroit, San Francisco and St. Louis. Atkins was the most valuable player on Auburn University’s 1957 football national championship team and was drafted by the San Francisco 49’ers in 1958 after starring in the Senior Bowl. He also played for the American Football League’s Buffalo Bills, leading the team and the AFL in interceptions (10) and punting with a 45.3 yard average. Atkins passed away on November 5, 1991.
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