Bill Parcells (Football, 1961-63)

Three-year letterman at linebacker on the 1961, '62 and '63 Shocker football teams .

  • Described as "no-nonsense" person who earned a reputation as a hard-nosed player .

  • As a sophomore, he helped the Shockers to an 8-3 record in 1961 and a berth in the Sun Bowl against Villanova .

  • Started every game his final two seasons .

  • Was a standout on the 1963 squad that compiled a 7-2 record and won the Missouri Valley Conference championship .

  • Named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference team that season .

  • In a game against Tulsa, he dominated the Golden Hurricane by making 20 tackles and six quarterback sacks .

  • Honored after his senior season by being named to play in the Blue-Gray and College All-Star games.

  • He was drafted in the seventh round by the Detroit Lions but opted for a career in coaching .

  • After a season at Hastings College, he returned to Wichita State in 1965 to coach the defensive line .

  • His collegiate coaching resume also included stints as an assistant at Army, Florida State, Vanderbilt and Texas Tech .

  • In 1978, he was named head coach at Air Force and served one year before moving into professional coaching .

  • He became head coach of the New York Giants in 1983 .

  • In eight seasons in New York, he led the Giants to three NFC Eastern Division championships and two NFC championships .

  • The Giants went on to victory in Super Bowl XXI over Denver in 1987 and Super Bowl XXV over Buffalo in 1991 .

  • He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1989 .

  • After a two-year hiatus from coaching, he returned to the sidelines in 1993 as head coach of the New England Patriots. Inducted, 1996.
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