 Peterson (right) with University of Florida assistant coach Gene Ellenson in 1961 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 14, 1920 Toronto, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | August 5, 1993 (aged 73) Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1945 | Ohio Northern |
| Position(s) | End |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1949–1950 | Mansfield HS (OH) (assistant) |
| 1951–1954 | Mansfield HS (OH) |
| 1955–1959 | LSU (assistant) |
| 1960–1970 | Florida State |
| 1971 | Rice |
| 1972–1973 | Houston Oilers |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1970–1971 | Rice |
| 1982–1985 | UCF |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 65–49–12 (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.