Bill Peterson

Bill Peterson
Peterson (right) with University of Florida assistant coach Gene Ellenson in 1961
Biographical details
Born(1920-05-14)May 14, 1920
Toronto, Ohio, U.S.
DiedAugust 5, 1993(1993-08-05) (aged 73)
Tallahassee, Florida, U.S.
Playing career
1945Ohio Northern
Position(s)End
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1949–1950Mansfield HS (OH) (assistant)
1951–1954Mansfield HS (OH)
1955–1959LSU (assistant)
1960–1970Florida State
1971Rice
1972–1973Houston Oilers
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1970–1971Rice
1982–1985UCF
Head coaching record
Overall65–49–12 (college)
1–18 (NFL)

William E. Peterson (May 14, 1920 – August 5, 1993) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. His career included head coaching stops at Florida State University, Rice University and with the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL). Considered one of the unique characters in college sports, Peterson is credited with bringing the pro passing game to college football. He is also known as the "Coach of Coaches", having tutored such coaches as Joe Gibbs, Bill Parcells, Bobby Bowden, Don James, Dan Henning, Ken Meyer and many others. Coach "Pete", as he was known, is also remembered for his reshaping of the English language. One of his more novel expressions was to have his team "pair off in groups of threes, then line up in a circle." Beyond his trials with syntax, Peterson is best remembered for bringing the Seminoles to the forefront of college football, using pro-style offenses and a much feared passing game.