As he prepares for the SEC Coaches Teleconference this morning, Nick Saban and Alabama football will be remembering a pioneer and a special coach.
According to the University of Alabama, Ray Perkins passed away today at his home in Northport, Ala.
At 79 years of age, he had been dealing with heart conditions. A native of Petal, Miss., Perkins attended and played football for the Crimson Tide under legendary coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant from 1963-66. He was a dependable wide receiver from 1964-66, totaling 63 catches for 908 yards with nine touchdowns. During his final season, Perkins grabbed 33 passes for 490 yards with seven touchdowns.
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He was on three SEC Championship teams and two national championship rosters (1964-65), while being named team captain, SEC Player of the Year and an All-American in 1966. Perkins made it to the National Football League, where he starred at receiver for the Baltimore Colts under another legendary coach. With the guidance of Don Shula, he played for five years (1967-71) and won Super Bowl V with Johnny Unitas in 1970. His playing career did not last long, but the knowledge he gained from Bryant and Shula prepared him to start his coaching career. He transformed young boys into men from 1973 to 2014, as he coached at major universities, junior colleges, NFL teams, and high schools. When he was not with the New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers (now Los Angeles Chargers), New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas Raiders) and Cleveland Browns, Perkins spent four years at his Alma mater. He coached at the University of Alabama from 1983 to 1986, producing a record of 32-15-1. He guided the program to three winning season — including a 10-win year and a Sun Bowl victory in 1986.
During this span, Perkins mentored players such as Cornelius Bennett, Derrick Thomas, Keith McCants, Mike Shula and Walter Lewis. He helped three of the four get to the NFL, and the duo of Bennett and Thomas had major success.
As for Lewis, he played in the United States Football League (USFL) for the Memphis Showboats and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Perkins was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (1990), Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (1988) and he was elected to the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame in 2005. In terms of his coaching tree, a lot of great names — including Bill Parcels and Sylvester Croom — came from Perkins.
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The trio of Coach Saban, Greg Byrne (Director of Athletics) and Dr. Stuart Bell (UA President) all gave their thoughts on Perkins’ passing.
“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.”- Nick Saban
“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, and 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.” -Greg Byrne
“We extended 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 him impact on the Capstone.” – Dr. Stuart Bell
Perkins enjoyed what he did in life, and now we have a moment to always remember the person he was.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
