NFF Announces Star-Studded College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 - National Football Foundation (2023)

Note: Updated May 11, 2022 to include the location of the NFF Annual Awards Dinner.

IRVING, Texas (January 10, 2022) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Hall of Fame today announced the 2022 Class of the College Football Hall of Fame during "Championship Drive Presented by Capital One." from ESPN.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2022

PLAYER:

• Lavar Arrington– LB, Pensilvania (1997-99)
• Bailey-Champion– DB, Georgia (1996-1998)
• Michael Krebsbaum– WR, Texas Tech (2007-08)
• Silvestre Croom–C., Alabama (1972-74)
• mike doß– S, Ohio State (1999-2002)
• Chuck Ealey– QB, Toledo (1969-71)
• kevin faulk– AP/RB, LSU (1995-98)
• Moe Gardner– DT, Illinois (1987-90)
• Boomer Grigby– LB, State of Illinois (2001-04)
• mike hass– WR, Oregon State (2002-05)
• marvin jones– LB, Florida State (1990-92)
• lucky andres– Field Mariscal, Stanford (2009-11)
• marcus messner– DT, Míchigan (1985-88)
• terry miller– RB, Oklahoma State (1974-77)
• Rashaan Salaam– RB, Colorado (1992-94)
• dennis thomas—C, Alcorn State (1971-73)
• Zach Wiegert– AT, Nebraska (1991-94)
• Roy Williams– DB, Oklahoma (1999-2001)

COACH:

• johann luckhardt– 225-70-2 (76,1%); Washington & Jefferson [PA] (1982-98), California [PA] (2002-11)
• billy jack murphy– 91-44-1 (67.3%); Memphis (1958-71)
• Gary Pinkel– 191-110-3 (63.3%); Toledo (1991-2000), Missouri (2001-15)

The 18 First Team All-America players and three outstanding coaches in the class of 2022 were selected from thenational vote78 players and seven coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, from the 99 players and 33 coaches from the divisional categories, and from the NFF Veterans Committee nominees.

"We are very proud to announce the College Football Hall of Fame class of 2022," he said.archie manning, NFF President and 1989 Mississippi College Football Hall of Fame inductee. "Each of these men have established themselves among the best to ever play or coach football and we look forward to immortalizing their incredible accomplishments."

The College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 will be officially introduced during the 64th Annual NFF Awards Dinner presented by Las Vegas on December 6 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

for more information about the event.

Honorees will also receive NFF Hall of Fame Campus Salutes presented by Fidelity Investments at their respective colleges in the fall. Their accomplishments will be forever remembered at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, and each member will receive a custom ring made by Jostens, the official and exclusive ring provider of the NFF.

The announcement of the College Football Hall of Fame class of 2022 was made today during Championship Drive presented by Capital One ahead of tonight's College Football Playoff National Championship.

"We'd like to thank ESPN for the opportunity to announce the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 in the run-up to the College Football Playoff National Championship today," said the NFF President and CEO.Steve Hatchel. "Today's announcement sheds light on the accomplishments of some of the greatest legends in college football."

PLAYER:

• 1Heisman Trophy Winner (Salaam)

• 10Unanimous First-Team All-Americans (Arrington, Crabtree (2), Doss, Gardner, Jones, Messner, Miller, Salaam, Wiegert, Williams)

• 3Consensus First Team All-Amerikaner (Bailey, Gardner, Jones)

• 8Mehrjährige Primer equipo All-Americans (Arrington (2), Crabtree (2), Doss (3), Gardner (2), Grigsby (3), Jones (2), Miller (2), Thomas (2))

• 9Homenajeados de fútbol universitario (Arrington - Bednarik, Butkus; Bailey - Nagurski; Crabtree - Biletnikoff (2); Hass - Biletnikoff; Jones - Butkus, Lombardi; Luck - Maxwell, Walter Camp; Salaam - Doak Walker, Heisman, Walter Camp; Wiegert - Terrallende; Williams – Nagurski, Thorpe)

• 4Members of national champion teams (Croom, Doss, Wiegert, Williams)

• 11Conference Player of the Year (Arrington, Doss, Ealey (3), Gardner, Grigsby (3), Luck (2), Messner, Miller (2), Salaam, Thomas, Williams)

• 9Members of the conference champion team (Croom (3), Doss, Ealey (3), Gardner, Jones, Messner (2), Miller, Wiegert (4), Williams)

• 9Players who still hold school records (Crabtree, Doss, Faulk, Grigsby, Hass, Luck, Messner, Miller, Salaam)

• 11Jogou Pelos Treinadores do College Football Hall of Fame (Arrington - Joe Paterno; Bailey - Jim Donnan; Croom - Paul "Bear" Bryant; Doss - John Cooper y Jim Tressel; Hass - Dennis Erickson; Jones - Bobby Bowden; Messner - Bo Schembechler ; Salaam – Bill McCartney; Thomas – Marino Casem; Wiegert – Tom Osborne; Williams – Bob Stoops)

• 8First Round NFL Draft Picks (Arrington, Bailey, Crabtree, Jones, Luck, Miller, Salaam, Williams)

• 10Offensive players (Crabtree, Croom, Faulk, Hass, Luck, Miller, Salaam, Thomas, Wiegert)

• 8Defensores (Arrington, Bailey, Doss, Gardner, Grigsby, Jones, Messner, Williams)

• 5Decades represented:1970er(4) – Croom, Ealey, Miller, Thomas;1980er(2) – Gardner, Messner;1990er(6) – Arrington, Bailey, Faulk, Jones, Salaam, Wiegert;2000er(5) – Crabtree, Doss, Grigsby, Hass, Williams;2010er(1) – Art

• 1School with its first Hall of Famer (Illinois State–Grigsby)

COACH:

• 18Conference Championships (Luckhardt - 14, Murphy - 3, Pinkel - 1)

• Most wins in school history (Luckhardt - California [PA]; Murphy - Memphis; Pinkel - Toledo, Missouri)

• 28Bowling/postseason appearances (Luckhardt - 16, Murphy - 1, Pinkel - 11)

• 24First-team All-Americans practice (Luckhardt - 11, Murphy - 4, Pinkel - 9)

• 28Conference Coach of the Year (Luckhardt - 21, Murphy - 3, Pinkel - 4)

• 1School with its first coach or player in the Hall of Fame (California [PA] - Luckhardt)

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. First, a player must have received First Team All-America recognition from an NCAA-recognized selector and be used to make their consensus All-America teams.

2. A player is eligible for NFF Court of Honor consideration 10 full seasons after his or her senior year of intercollegiate football.

3. While each candidate's college football accomplishments are paramount, their post-football record as a citizen is also important. He must have shown himself as a dignified citizen and promoted the ideals of soccer in his dealings with his community. Academic distinctions and whether the candidate has obtained a university degree may also be taken into account.

4. Players must have played their senior year of intercollegiate football within the past 50 years*. For example, to qualify for the 2022 election, a player must have played their senior year in 1972 or later. Additionally, current professional players and/or coaches are not eligible until retirement.

5. A coach may play three full seasons after or immediately after his retirement as long as he is at least 70 years of age. Active coaches become eligible at age 75. He must have been a football coach for at least 10 years and have coached at least 100 games with a .600 winning rating.

6. Nominations can only be submitted by a prospective candidate's current athletic director, head coach, or sports information director (SID) at their college. Nominations may also be submitted by the President/CEO of a National Football Foundation chapter.

* Players who do not meet the 50-year rule may still be considered by the Football Bowl Subdivision and Divisional Veterans Committees. Veterans Committee candidates must continue to meet First Team All-America requirements.

FAST FACTS ON THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

• Only if the Hall of Fame class of 2022 is officially inducted in December1056 playersmi226 Coachhave been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for almost5.54 millionwho have played or coached the game in the last 152 years. In other words, less thantwo hundredths of one percent (0.02%)of people who have played the game have received this award.
• The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame was established in 1947 and introduced its first class of recruits in 1951. The first class included 32 players and 22 coaches, including those from Illinois.red farm, Nª SªKnut Rockne,Amos Alonzo Staggy Carlisle (PA)jim thorpe.
• 317 schoolsthey are represented by at least one member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
• Induction for the class of 2022 takes place6th of Decemberduring the 64th Annual NFF Awards Dinner hosted by Las Vegas at the Bellagio Resort & Casino.

Biographies of the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022

UEAHONOR ARRINGTON
Pennsylvania State University
Linebacker, 1997-99

Known for the "LaVar Jump" where the offensive line would jump,Lavar Arringtonhe was one of the most feared linebackers of the late 1990s. The Pittsburgh native will become the 19th Penn State player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Arrington, the 12th Nittany Lion selected as a two-time First Team All-American, received unanimous honors in 1999. In 1999 he received the Butkus Award for Best Linebacker in the Country and the Bednarik Award for Best Defensive Player in the Country. . A Nagurski and Lombardi Award finalist, Arrington finished ninth in the 1999 Heisman Trophy contest. A two-time first-team All-Big Ten winner, Arrington became the first sophomore to become a defensive player of the year Big Named Ten, received the honor in 1998.

The 1999 Jack Lambert Award winner led the Nittany Lions to three bowl games, including victories in the 1999 Outback Bowl and the 1999 Alamo Bowl. Penn State has finished in the top 20 in all three years of his career , notable for finishing 11th in the year 1999. Arrington amassed 173 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, and three interceptions while playing for the College Football Hall of Fame coachjoe paterno. He was named the "Mount Rushmore of Penn State Football" by the Big Ten Network and was inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame in 2011 for his outstanding achievements at North Hills High School in Pittsburgh.

The second overall pick by the Washington football team in the 2000 NFL Draft, Arrington played for Washington from 2000 to 2005 and then in 2006 for the New York Giants. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Following his NFL career, Arrington began a successful career in broadcasting. He currently works for FOX Sports Radio and is a part-time co-host of Station 2's morning show Pro's and a Cup of Joe.Brady Quinnmijonas knox. He is also the co-host of the nationally syndicated weekend show/podcast Up On Game.TJ HoushmandzadehmiPlaxico Burres. Arrington has also appeared on FOX Sports television shows, including FS1's "Speak for Yourself."

BAILEY CHAMPION
georgia university
Defensive Defense, 1996-98

One of the most versatile players in Georgia history,Bailey-ChampionHe played more than 1,000 snaps on offense, defense and special teams during his remarkable 1998 season. A native of Folkston, Georgia, he becomes the 16th Bulldog player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The 1998 consensus First Team All-American took home the Nagurski Trophy as the nation's best defensive back that season and finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy. During that breakout season, Bailey captained the team and saw action at quarterback and wide receiver, while also returning kickoffs. He was named SEC Player of the Week that season against Auburn after reaching a career-high 119 games for him, highlighted by a fourth-quarter interception.

A two-time first-team All-SEC selection (1997, 1998), he was also named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 1996. As the first UGA Vince Dooley MVP Award recipient, Bailey led the Bulldogs to back-to-back victories in the postseason. He seasoned in the 1998 Outback Bowl and the 1998 Peach Bowl, where he received defensive MVP honors. He helped UGA reach the national rankings in 1997 (No. 10) and 1998 (No. 14) while playing for the College Football Hall of Fame coach.jim brownand next to the Hall of FameMatt Stinchcomb. A member of the FWAA 75th Anniversary All-America Team, Bailey finished his Georgia career with 147 tackles, eight interceptions and 27 pass breakups while racking up 978 receiving yards and five offensive touchdowns.

Bailey, Washington's seventh overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft, played 15 seasons for Washington (1999-2003) and the Denver Broncos (2004-13). The 12 Pro Bowl selection is a member of the NFL Team of the Decade for the 2000s and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

While with the Broncos, Bailey donated time and money to the Denver Rescue Mission and worked with The Crossing at Park Hill, a Denver transitional housing program. He also supports the Bailey Brothers Foundation with his brother and Georgia teammate.Chef. Inducted into the Georgia State Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, he was also a record-breaking rusher at UGA.

MICHAEL CRABTREE
Texas Technical University
Wide Receiver, 2007-08

The first two-time winner of the Biletnikoff Prize,Michael Krebsbaumhe was one of the most electrifying wide receivers in college football history. The Dallas native is the sixth Red Raider player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The only two-time unanimous First Team All-American (2007, 2008) in Texas Tech history, Crabtree ranked fifth in 2008 Heisman Trophy voting. A single rookie season in receiving yards (1,962), receiving (134 ) and receiving yards per game (150.9), touchdown receptions (22), receptions per game (10.3), and 100-yard receiving plays (11). Crabtree still ranks in the top 15 all-time in nine FBS receiving categories, with his 1,962 receiving yards in 2007 currently third in FBS single-season history. Crabtree, a two-time Paul Warfield Award winner, was named CBSSports.com National Rookie of the Year and the 2007 AT&T All-America Player of the Year.

A two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, Crabtree was named the 2007 Big 12 Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year. Although he only played two seasons, he remains Texas Tech's all-time touchdown leader with 41 touchdowns and 15 career touchdowns. He receives 100 yards while he ranks second with 3,127 career receiving yards. His 1,962 receiving yards and 134 receptions in 2007 are Big 12 and Red Raider records, and he has the top two touchdown passes in a season in school history (22 in 2007, 19 in 2008). The 2007 Texas Tech Team MVP has nearly every freshman earning a record in the Big 12 and Red Raider record books. In 2008, Crabtree led Texas Tech to a Big 12 South Division title berth, an 11-2 record, and a final No. 12 ranking. His moment in the spotlight came this season against Texas, in the who caught the game-winning 28-yard touchdown run by a second to upset No. 1 Texas. Crabtree led the Red Raiders to two bowl games, including a victory in the 2008 Gator Bowl. Inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2020, the player was inducted into the school's Football Ring of Honor in 2021.

Crabtree, selected in the 2009 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers, has 11 seasons with the 49ers (2009-14), Oakland Raiders (2015-17), Baltimore Ravens (2018) and Arizona Cardinals (2019).

Off the field, he founded the Crab5 Foundation, which hosts several events each year for underprivileged youth. Crabtree also donated a full scholarship to Texas Tech in 2019.

Silvestre Croom
university of alabama
No, 1972-74

climax for a national championship,Silvestre Croomhe was a central leader during one of the most successful careers in Alabama history. A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he becomes the 20th Crimson Tide player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Croom was a 1974 First Team All-American and helped the Crimson Tide to a UPI national title in 1973. A 1974 First Team All-SEC selection and Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner led Alabama to three straight conference titles . As captain of the 1974 team, the Tide led to three bowl games and three top-10 national rankings (No. 7 in 1972, No. 4 in 1973, and No. 5 in 1974).

Behind Croom's outstanding blocking, the Tide averaged 414.7 yards per game in 1972, 480.7 yards per game in 1973, and 388.3 yards per game in 1974. Over his three seasons, Alabama compiled an impressive 32-game record. 4, with just one loss in the regular season. Croom finished his college career in 1975 in the Senior Bowl after playing for the College Football Hall of Fame coach.Paul "Urso" Bryantand next to the Hall of Famejohn hanna,Woodrow LowemiOzzie Newsomein Tuscaloosa. He was inducted into the Alabama State Sports Hall of Fame in 2020, and the Crimson Tide Spring Practice Award was named the Sylvester Croom Commitment to Excellence Award in his honor.

After going uncalled up in 1975, Croom played one season with the New Orleans Saints before returning to Alabama to begin his coaching career. After serving with his former coach Bryant and the Crimson Tide team from 1976 to 1986ray perkinsHe then coached in the NFL from 1987 to 2003. In 2004, Croom made history when Mississippi State hired him as the first Blackhead football coach in SEC history. He was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2007. After five seasons at Mississippi State, Croom returned to the NFL as an assistant coach before retiring after the 2017 season.

Croom is heavily involved with College View Baptist Church, founded by his father, who was an All-American at Alabama A&M.

MIKE DOSS
Ohio State University
Security, 1999-2002

One of eight three-time All-Americans in Ohio State history,mike doßhe ended his distinguished career by leading the Buckeyes to a national championship. The Canton, Ohio native becomes the school's 27th player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Doss, who played on the Ohio State First-Team All-American for his last three seasons, was unanimously recognized after his outstanding senior campaign in 2002, in which he had a career-high 107 tackles. That season, the team captain and Thorpe Award finalist led the Buckeyes to a perfect 14-0 record, the Big Ten title, a No. 1 final ranking, and the BCS National Championship after beating Miami (FL). at the Fiesta Bowl. Doss was named defensive MVP of that 31-24 double-overtime victory after recording nine tackles and a 35-yard interception return that led to Ohio State's first touchdown of the game in his possession. The 2002 season was the Buckeyes' first 14-0 season in school history and their first undefeated season since 1973.

The 2002 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Doss was a three-time All-Big Ten first-team selection. With the most career tackles of his by a defenseman in school history (331), he led Ohio State in tackles his sophomore and junior years. His 228 career solo tackles are the fifth most in Buckeyes history. Doss was inducted into the Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 and played for the College Football Hall of Fame coaches.John Coopermijim tressel.

Doss was selected in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2003 NFL Draft and played six seasons for the Colts (2003-06), Minnesota Vikings (2007) and Cincinnati Bengals (2008). As a member of the Colts, he won Super Bowl XLI.

In 2005 he established the Michael A. Doss Foundation, which focuses on education and social welfare. He also organized Make a Difference youth camps. In 2019, Doss earned a Master's Degree in Commercial Operational Excellence from the State of Ohio and is now a licensed real estate agent with Robert Weiler Company of Columbus, Ohio.

CHUCK EALEY
University of Toledo
Quarterback, 1969-71

The poster of the best streak in the history of Toledo football,Chuck Ealeyhe never missed a game in his three seasons as the Rockets' starting quarterback. The NFF Veterans Committee selection becomes the second player in school history to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Ealey, who was named a First Team All-American in 1971, posted a remarkable 35-0 as Toledo's starting quarterback. The three-time MAC Back of the Year became the first player in conference history to earn Heisman Trophy votes, finishing eighth in 1971 with 168 points. A three-time first-team All-MAC selection, Ealey led the Rockets to three straight conference titles. He led the team to three straight Tangerine Bowl victories and received MVP honors in all three games.

Ealey became team captain in 1971, finishing his career as Toledo's all-time leader with 5,275 yards and 45 passing touchdowns, both stats still in the top 10. He received the team's Jim Nicholson Award in 1970 and 1971. Ealey, who was named No. 1 on Toledo's Football Team of the Century, is one of four players to have their number retired by the Rockets. A native of Portsmouth, Ohio, he played alongside the College Football Hall of Famer.long honeyduring his stint at the Glass Bowl.

After going undrafted by the NFL, Ealey signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. In 1972, he became the starting quarterback, won the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award, and led the Tiger-Cats to Gray Cup victory, where he received MVP honors. In total, Ealey played seven CFL seasons with the Tiger-Cats (1972-74), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1974-75) and Toronto Argonauts (1975-78).

After his football career, Ealey worked as a financial advisor in the Toronto area. He currently serves as a consultant and speaker, helping people of all ages discover and embrace their invincible spirit so they can better themselves and their communities. He established the Chuck Ealey Foundation, which awards annual academic scholarships to college and high school students who receive the Chuck Ealey Undefeated Spirit Award. The Chuck Ealey Foundation also offers high school students the opportunity to develop their tutoring skills while helping underprivileged youth discover and embrace their self-esteem and "undefeated spirit."

kevin faulk
Louisiana State University
Allzweck / Corridor, 1995-98

The epitome of a versatile player,kevin faulkhe remains the SEC leader in career all-purpose yards and LSU's all-time rushing leader. A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, he becomes the 11th Tiger player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A 1996 first-team All-American as an all-purpose player, Faulk still holds the all-time SEC record with 6,833 all-purpose yards, a mark that ranked fourth in FBS history at the end of his career. During the 1996 season, he led the SEC in all-purpose yards and finished second in the league in rushing yards. Faulk continued his campaign in the United States leading the SEC during his junior and senior seasons and also leading the league as a senior. The three-time first-team All-SEC selection became the first player in LSU history to average more than 100 yards per game over his career.

With 11 school-record career endings, Faulk still holds career ratings at LSU for rushing yards (4,577), rushing touchdowns (46), all-purpose yards (6,833), and 100-yard rushing plays (22). The 1995 SEC Rookie of the Year ranks fourth in the conference in career rushing yards and third in career rushing touchdowns. Faulk, a two-time LSU MVP, led the Tigers to two top-15 finishes and three bowl victories. After the 1995 Independence Bowl, he earned offensive MVP honors after setting LSU Bowl records with 234 rushing yards and 271 all-purpose yards. Faulk holds the LSU record for all-purpose individual game yardage (376 vs. Houston, 1996) and ranks fifth in school history with 832 punt return yards. He is also a member of the LSU Athletics and the Louisiana State Sports Hall of Fame.

Drafted in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Faulk spent his entire 13-year career with the franchise. Inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in 2016, the player has led the team to three Super Bowl titles (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) and holds the franchise record for career all-purpose yardage. he.

Following his professional career, Faulk served as an assistant football coach at his former high school, Carencro High School in Lafayette, Louisiana, from 2013-2017. He then served on the coaching staff at his alma mater, LSU, from 2018- twenty-one. He annually hosts a free youth soccer camp in Louisiana and founded the Kevin Faulk Foundation to support youth. He is the cousin of the player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.marshall falkfrom the state of San Diego.

MOE GARDNER
University of Illinois
defensive offense, 1987-90

Two-time first-team All-American,Moe Gardnerwas described by the head coach of IllinoisJuan Mackovicas "the best player at any position in college football" during his 1990 senior campaign. An Indianapolis, Indiana native becomes the 13th Fighting Illini player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Gardner was named a unanimous First Team All-America in 1989 before earning consensus laurels as a senior in 1990. In 1989, he was named Big Ten Lineman of the Year and an Outland Trophy finalist after leading the Illini to No. 1 and a victory in the 1990 Citrus Bowl, the program's first victory since 1964. The following season, Gardner was a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award and earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading Illinois to a division of the 1990 conference title and a final ranking of No. 25.

A four-time All-Big Ten selection, Gardner was first-team honors from 1988 to 1990 after being recognized by the second team as a freshman. The two-year team captain finished his career with a school-record 57 tackles for loss, currently in second place, and has led the Illini in the category for the past three seasons. Gardner was named team MVP in 1989 and ranks fifth in Illinois with 18 career sacks. He was inducted into the Illinois Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020 and was named to the school's All-Century team in 1990 as an active player.

A fourth round pick in the 1991 NFL draft, Gardner played six seasons for the Atlanta Falcons from 1991 to 1996.

Gardner currently works as a public librarian at the Auburn Avenue African American History and Culture Research Library in Atlanta, where he is in the reference, research and programs division. His responsibilities include supporting academics and PhD students working in the African diaspora around the world.

BOOMER GRIGSBY
Illinois State University
Linebacker, 2001-04

The all-time leading tackler in FCS history,Boomer Grigbyhe is the only three-time Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year in league history. A native of Canton, Illinois, he deservedly becomes the first Redbird player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A three-time first-team All-American (2002-04), Grigsby remains the FCS leader in career tackles (550), career solo tackles (325), season tackles per game (16 .27 in 2002) and solo tackles on the season per game. (9.82 in 2002). The standout linebacker is the only player in history to have been in the top three Buck Buchanan Award for three consecutive seasons. Grigsby ranks second in FCS career history with 12.5 tackles per game, and has two of the top three single-season solo tackles in FCS history: 109 in 2003 and 108 in 2002. He won twice the College Sporting News FCS Defensive Player. of the year, which has since been renamed in his honor.

The three-time first-team All-MVFC selection remains the all-time leading tackler in conference and school history (note: both MVFC and Illinois State credit him with 580 career tackles). Grigsby was also an All-Conference honorable mention in 2001 when he was named to MVFC's all-newcomer squad. He led FCS in tackles in 2002, led the conference in tackles three times, and led Illinois State in tackles in all four seasons. A three-time team captain, Grigsby was named a two-time Milt Weisbecker Illinois State Male Athlete and was inducted into the Percy Family Illinois State Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2010.

Grigsby was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft and played in the league for the Kansas City Chiefs (2005-07), the Miami Dolphins (2008) and the Houston Texans (2009).

Off the field, he founded the Boomer Grigsby Foundation and volunteered at Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors and Special Olympics. Grigsby continued his involvement with ISU football for three seasons as a color analyst for Redbird's football coverage on NBC Sports Chicago and served two years as a television analyst for High School Association football playoff coverage. of Illinois. He currently works in Las Vegas as a sales representative for Stryker.

MIKE HAS
Oregon State University
Wide Receiver, 2002-05

After not receiving Division I scholarship offers and moving to the state of Oregon,mike hasshe left the university as the top all-time honoree and also received a Biletnikoff Award. The Portland, Oregon native becomes the third Beaver player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The 2005 First Team All-American and Biletnikoff Award winner became the 10th player in NCAA history and the only Oregon State player with three 1,000-yard seasons. During his outstanding 2005 senior season, Hass led the nation with 139.9 yards per game. He set school records for single-season receptions (90) and yards (1,532, also a Pac-10 mark at the time), surpassing his own records set in 2004 when he was a third-team All-American. The team lead in 2005 led the Beavers to three straight bowl finals, including victories in the 2003 Las Vegas Bowl and the 2004 Insight Bowl.

A two-time First Team All-Pac-10 selection, Hass ranks third in conference history with 3,924 career yards. In addition to being the school's all-time leading receiver, he also holds Oregon state records for career 100-yard games (19), single-season 100-yard games (nine in 2005), and single-season state receptions in Arizona in 2004). Hass has four of the top 10 single-game receptions in school history, including a Beaver-record 293 yards against Boise State in 2004. His 20 career touchdowns rank second in school annals, while his 220 receptions rank fourth.

Hass was drafted in the sixth round by the New Orleans Saints in the 2006 NFL Draft and played in the league for the Chicago Bears (2006-08) and Seattle Seahawks (2009). He also played for the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League in 2010-11.

Hass earned a civil engineering degree from Oregon State in 2007. After his soccer career, he worked in the development department at Nike and helped design sports equipment. Hass is currently a project manager at Pacific GeoSource, an industry leader in paving design and engineering. He was also a youth soccer coach.

MARVIN JONES
Florida State University
Linebacker, 1990-92

A dominant force on Florida State standout teams in the early 1990s,marvin joneshe was the first college player to win two national awards in the same season. The Miami, Florida native becomes the eighth Seminole player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A two-time first-team All-American, Jones received consensus honors in 1991 and unanimous honors in 1992. During his distinguished 1992 campaign, he won Butkus and Rotary Lombardi Awards and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy. Jones recorded 111 tackles that year while leading the Seminoles to the ACC title, an 11-1 record, and the No. 2 final ranking after a win over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. The 1992 First Team All-ACC selection was also named the Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year and was awarded the Jack Lambert Trophy.

In 1991, Jones recorded 125 tackles while leading Florida State to an 11-2 record and No. 4 in the final standings after a win over Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. As a freshman in 1990, he was a third-team All-American and led that team to a 10-2 record, a fourth-team finish and a Blockbuster Bowl victory. Before joining the ACC in 1992, Jones was a two-time First Team All-South Independent selection. His 369 career tackles rank seventh in Seminole history even though he only played three seasons. One of only 11 players in school history to have his number retired, Jones was inducted into the Florida State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000. He was trained by the Florida State Athletic Hall of Fame College Football.bobby bowden, played alongside Hall of FamerDerrick Brooks,Terrell Buckleymicharlie saladuring his time in Tallahassee.

A fourth overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft, Jones played his entire 11-year career from 1993-2003 with the New York Jets.

As the coach of the 2019-22 Champions Professional Indoor Soccer League, Jones won the championship in 2021 and reached the championship again in 2022. He was named the Tulsa Oilers' first Indoor Soccer League head coach as they began their inaugural season in 2023. .

ANDRÉS LUCKY
Stanford University
Quarterback, 2009-11

One of the most accurate passers in college football history,lucky andresHe built an unprecedented career at Stanford, winning multiple national awards. The Houston, Texas native becomes the 19th Cardinal player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A 2011 First Team All-American, Luck took home the Maxwell, Walter Camp and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards. The two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up (2010, 2011) served up a Stanford program that lost seven straight seasons before becoming a starter in 2009. 2011 (#7). He was named the 2011 Orange Bowl MVP after throwing for 287 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Virginia Tech, giving Stanford a school-record 12 wins.

A two-time Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, Luck led the conference in several categories during his outstanding 2011 campaign, including completion percentage (71.3) and passing efficiency (169.7). The two-time First Team All-Pac-12 selection is Stanford's all-time leader in touchdown passes (82) and passing efficiency (162.8). With 9,430 yards in cardinal history, Luck has two of the four best passing seasons in school history: 3,517 yards in 2011 and 3,338 in 2010. His own. . 707) and 2011 (.713). His 37 TD passes in 2011 is a school record for a season, followed by his 32 TD passes in 2010.

Luck chaired three of the most prolific offensive teams in Stanford history, helping the Cardinal set records in 2009 (461), 2010 (524) and 2011 (561). Equally competent in the classroom, he was named the 2011 Scholar All-American of the Year and is a three-time First Team Scholar All-Pac-12 honoree and a member of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society.

The first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Luck spent his entire seven-year career with the Indianapolis Colts from 2012 to 2018. The four-time Pro Bowler was named Returning Player of the Year in 2018 and has the NFL freshman passing yards record. (4,373).

Luck is involved in a number of philanthropic activities, including the Riley Children's Foundation and the Andrew Luck Book Club. He was previously honored by the NFF as an NFF National High School Scholar Athlete in 2008. Luck is now retired and lives in Indianapolis.

MARCA MESSNER
University of Michigan
defense attack, 1985-88

One of the greatest defensemen in Michigan history,marcus messnerscared attacks as he becomes the Wolverines' all-time leader in Sacks and Tackles for Loss. The Hartland, Michigan native becomes the 33rd player in school history to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

A unanimous first-team All-American in 1988, Messner started every game of his career (49) at Michigan. The 1988 Rotary Lombardi Award finalist remains the Wolverines' all-time career leader with 70 tackles for loss, 376 tackles for loss, 36 sacks and 273 yards per catch. Messner was named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1988 and led Michigan to conference titles in 1986 and 1988. He became the first player in Big Ten history to be a first-team All-Conference selection for four consecutive years, and his career battling losses and sacks ranks third in the Big Ten record books.

As captain of the 1988 team, he led the Wolverines to three bowl victories, including the 1986 Fiesta Bowl, where he was named Defensive MVP, the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl, and the 1989 Rose Bowl, going 38-9- 2. He record and final four national rankings, including two top-five finishes in 1985 (#2) and 1988 (#4). Michigan's sack leader all four seasons, his five sacks against Northwestern in 1987 remain a single-game school record. The Wolverines' 1987 team MVP and 1986 defensive MVP led the team to a 3–1 record against archrivals Ohio State. Messner was coached by the College Football Hall of Famer.BoSchembeckerand played alongside the Hall of Famejuan elliotduring his time in Ann Arbor. He ended his college career in the All-Star Hula Bowl game.

Messner, selected in the sixth round of the 1989 NFL Draft, played one season for the Los Angeles Rams before suffering an injury.

After retiring from soccer, Messner worked for Eastman Kodak and is currently vice president of marketing for Konica Minolta. He is also a board member for Meals on Wheels PLUS in Manatee, Florida.

TERRY MILLER
Oklahoma State University
Corridor, 1974-77

One of only three players in Big Eight history to rush for over 4,000 career yards.terry millerHis 4,754 yards were the fourth most in NCAA history when his career ended. A native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, he is the fifth player from Oklahoma State to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A two-time first-team All-American, Miller was a unanimous honoree in 1977 and was a two-time Heisman Trophy top-five finalist (runner-up in 1977 and fourth in 1976). The only running back in Oklahoma State history with three 1,000-yard seasons, he ranked fifth in the nation in rushing yards in 1976 (1,714) and third in 1977 (1,680). Miller also led the nation with 23 rushing touchdowns in 1976. Two-time Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year (1976, 1977), led the Cowboys to the 1976 conference title and 1974 postseason victories in the Fiesta Bowl and the 1976 Tangerine Bowl, resulting in a final ranking of 14th for punctures.

Miller led the Big Eight his final two seasons with 1,887 yards in 1976 (note: Oklahoma State credits him with a different NCAA total) and 1,680 yards in 1977, marks that rank Oklahoma third and sixth overall in the state, respectively. He has a cowboy record 26 career games for 100 rushing yards. Sitting behind other running backs in the College Football Hall of Famebarry sanderITomas ThurmanIn nearly every other school rushing category, Miller ranks second in rushing yards (4,754), rushing touchdowns (49), and rushing yards per game (113.2), while third in all-purpose yards (5,305). ) occupies the space.

The fifth overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, Miller played for the Bills from 1978 to 1980 before moving to the Seattle Seahawks in 1981.

Miller was a regular volunteer with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Payne County Youth Services, among many other organizations. He is now retired and lives in Stillwater.

RASHAAN SALAAM
colorado university
Corridor, 1992-94

The 1994 Heisman Trophy winner,Rashaan Salaamhe was only the fourth player in NCAA history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. The San Diego native becomes the ninth Buff player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Salaam was a unanimous first-team All-American in 1994 and also won Walter Camp and Doak Walker awards and the Heisman trophy. That season, the 1994 Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year led the nation in rushing yards (2,055), touchdowns (144), and all-purpose yards (2,349), all without playing in the fourth quarter in five games. Salaam led the Buffs to an 11-1 record in 1994 and to third place in the final standings after a win over Notre Dame in the 1995 Fiesta Bowl. He led Colorado to two other Bowl finals, including a win at the 1993 Aloha Bowl, where he was MVP and two other top-20 finishers in 1992 (No. 13) and 1993 (No. 16).

Salaam was a two-time First Team All-Big Eight selection, including unanimous recognition in 1994, and led the Buffs to second place in the conference in all three seasons. He still holds 18 school records, including many single-season marks for rushing yards (2,055), touchdowns (24), points (144), and all-purpose yards (2,349), all set during his 1994 Heisman campaign. Salaam also set Colorado records in a season with 10 100-yard rushing games, four 200-yard rushing games, and nine consecutive 100-yard rushing games. He finished his career with 3,057 rushing yards, which ranks fourth all-time in Colorado. While at Boulder, Salaam played for the College Football Hall of Fame coach.Bill McCartneyand next to the Hall of FameMichael Westbach.

Selected in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, Salaam played for the Bears for three seasons (1995-97) and was named NFC Rookie of the Year in 1995. He spent the 1999 season with Cleveland. Browns and the Green Bay Packers before playing in the 2001 XFL Memphis Maniax.

A member of the CU Athletic and State of Colorado Sports Halls of Fame, Salaam's number 19 jersey was retired by the university in 2017. He died on December 5, 2016 at the age of 42.

dennis thomas
Alcorn State University
No, 1971-73

The only offensive lineman to be named SWAC Offensive Player of the Year,dennis thomasHe was an emerging force on the Alcorn State offensive line. The Heidelberg, Mississippi native becomes the second Braves player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A two-time first-team All-American, Thomas received Pittsburgh Courier honors in 1972 and 1973 and Black Mutual Sports Network honors in 1973. He impressively defeated the legendary Football Hall of Famer.Walter Payton(Jackson State) for the award. That season, Thomas was a first-team All-SWAC selection and received Alcorn State's best offensive lineman award. He also blocked the rookie running back.Augusta Lee, who would become the school's all-time rushing leader (currently ranked #2).

Thomas wrote three seasons and started two years in the Hall of Fame Coaches CenterBy Marino Cas. In 1970 he redshirted the champion SWAC Braves team. In 1973, Thomas was named to the Who's Who of America's Colleges and Universities and was a member of the Dean's List during his four years at the university. In 1974, the state of Mississippi declared April 15 as Dennis and Johnny Thomas Day.

After his college career at Alcorn State, Thomas joined the Braves coaching staff and helped Casem teams win SWAC football championships in 1976, 1979, and 1984. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Alcorn State, Thomas earned his M.A. from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and his Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo. From 1990 to 2002, he served as the Director of Athletics at Hampton University, where he oversaw the school's transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. In 2002, Thomas was named the Region's Director of Athletics of the Year. Southeast of the NACDA.

Thomas served as commissioner of the Middle East Athletic Conference from 2002 until his retirement in December 2021. As MEAC commissioner, he negotiated a multi-million dollar television contract with ESPN and was instrumental in creating the Celebration Bowl, the annual game between the champions MEAC and SWAC. Thomas was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2020 and is also a member of the NFF Board of Directors.

ZACH WIEGERT
University of Nebraska
Offensive disarmament, 1991-94

The anchor of some of Nebraska's dominant teams in the 1990s,Zach Wiegerthe capped off his college career by helping the Huskers win a national title. A native of Fremont, Nebraska, he becomes the 20th player in school history to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Wiegert was a unanimous First Team All-American in 1994 and was awarded the Outland Trophy after helping Nebraska to a perfect 13-0 national championship season and the NCAA racing title. In 1993, he was a finalist in the Outland Trophy after leading the Huskers to an 11-1 record, third place overall, and an Orange Bowl berth for the national title. A three-time First Team All-Big Eight selection led Nebraska to four conference titles and two other national top-15 finishes in 1991 (No. 15) and 1992 (No. 14).

Wiegert's other honors include the 1994 TD Club of Columbus Offensive Lineman of the Year, 1994 UPI Lineman of the Year, 1993 Second Team All-American, and 1992 First Team All-American sophomore. He became a designated ABC Chevrolet player of the game after the Huskers' 1994 victory over UCLA, in which he helped the team rush for 340 yards. Wiegert blocked three running backs for 1,000 yards during his career and gave up just one sack in 37 games. In 1994 alone, he recorded 113 blocks of pancakes. Wiegert played for the College Football Hall of Fame coachtom osborneand along with five other members of the Nebraska Hall of Fame:trev alberts,tommie frazier,shields of will,aaron taylormiconceder wistrom.

Selected in the second round by the St. Louis Rams in the 1995 NFL Draft, Wiegert played with the Rams (1995-98), the Jacksonville Jaguars (1999-2002) and the Houston Texans (2003-06). He started 137 NFL games and helped the Jaguars make the playoffs in 1999.

After a decade as a commercial real estate investor and developer, Wiegert founded Goldenrod Companies in October 2005 to manage his own portfolio of assets. He has served or currently serves on many nonprofit boards and has led events for The Salvation Army, The United Way, The Omaha North Magnet STEM School, The Boy Scouts of America, and The Teammates Foundation.

ROY WILLIAMS
University of Oklahoma
Defensive Defense, 1999-2001

The first player in history to win both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Jim Thorpe Award in the same year.Roy Williamshe scared his opponents when he led Oklahoma to a national title in 2000 and a 31-7 record in his three seasons with Norman. The Union City, California native becomes the 23rd Sooner player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

A unanimous first-team All-American in 2001, Williams started 31 games for the Sooners and recorded 287 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, nine interceptions and 44 passes defensed during his career. In 2001, he led the Sooners to an 11-2 record and a 10-3 Cotton Bowl victory over Arkansas. Williams recorded six tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks in the game to earn defensive MVP honors. His performance during the 2001 season earned him All-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors, Nagurski and Thorpe Awards, and he finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting, the most votes in 2001 for a non-quarterback. . In 2000, he led the Big 12 champion Sooners to their first 13-win season and their first undefeated season since 1987, capped by a 13-2 victory over Florida State in the 2001 Orange Bowl to win the National Championship. BCS.

1999, the first season in OU for trainersbob stops(Inducted into the Hall 2021) helped Williams Oklahoma to a 7-5 record and a berth in the Independence Bowl, snapping the school's four-year postseason absence. A two-time first-team All-Big-12 selection, he earned a unique place in the annals of Oklahoma football with a legendary game during the 2001 Red River Showdown.chris simmsand in the hands of OUsteddy lehmann, which scored a touchdown. The game sealed a 14-3 victory for OU and earned Williams the nickname "Superman" as he appeared to be flying through the air.

Williams was selected eighth overall by Dallas in the 2002 NFL Draft and played for the Cowboys in 2002-08 and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009-10.

William is currently President of Global Security Corporation in Edmond, Oklahoma, which provides VIP protection, corporate event security, and other security consulting services. He was active in the community and founded the Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation to support low-income single mothers. Roy Williams' speed and strength complex at OU is named in his honor and he is a member of the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame.

JOHANNES LUCKHARDT
Washington & Jefferson College [PA] (1982-98), University of California [PA] (2002-11)
Head coach, 225-70-2 (76.1%)

A staple of the Western Pennsylvania football scene for nearly three decades,johann luckhardthe made two perennial national competing programs, winning an impressive 76.1 percent of their games combined at Washington & Jefferson and the University of California at Pennsylvania. He becomes the first person to represent the Vulcans in the College Football Hall of Fame and the fourth person with ties to Washington & Jefferson.

In 1982, Luckhardt took over a Washington & Jefferson program that had produced just four successful campaigns in the previous 17 seasons. In 1984, Luckhardt turned the Presidents into a 9-2 team, won the team's first Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) title, and earned the school's first trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs. The program never looked back, racking up winning records every season under him, culminating in 1998 with a 137-37-2 record during his 17-year tenure.

Under Luckhardt's leadership, the W&J won 13 PAC championships and made 11 NCAA playoff appearances, including two trips to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (1992 and 1994). He was named the AFCA National Coach of the Year in 1992 and CNN named him the Division III Coach of the Year in 1994.

After his time at W&J, Luckhardt led the program at nearby Cal U from 2002 to 2011. His tenure with the Vulcans saw the best 10-year season in school history, and he left the school as the coach of greatest performer of all time with an overall record of 88-33. Led Cal U to the NCAA Division II semifinals in three straight seasons after winning NCAA regional titles in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The 2008 season was the program's first championship in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) since 1984. His final two years at Cal U brought him five straight double-digit winning seasons and five NCAA Division II playoff appearances, as well as seven PSAC West titles they follow.

Luckhardt's teams competed in 16 NCAA playoffs during his 27-year coaching career, and he coached 11 First Team All-Americans, nine Academic All-Americans, and two NFF National Scholar athletes. He was named PAC Coach of the Year eleven times and PSAC West Coach of the Year once.

A native of western Pennsylvania, Luckhardt played college football at Purdue for the College Football Hall of Fame coach.jack mollenkopf, and was the starting center for the 1967 Rose Bowl team that defeated USC. He began his coaching career at Northern Illinois and then at Lehigh. Luckhardt was listed in Pennsylvania Sports; Washington and Jefferson College Athletics; and the Athletic Halls of Fame at the University of California, Pennsylvania. From 1994 to 1998 he was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Football Coaches Association. From 1996 to 1998, Luckhardt also served as Washington & Jefferson's sports director.

BILLY JACK MURPHY
University of Memphis (1958-71)
Head coach, 91-44-1 (67.3%)

The most successful coach in Memphis history, Billy Jack Murphyhe led the Tigers program for 14 years, posting winning records in all but two seasons and leading the school in the national rankings. Murphy, who died in 2008 at the age of 87, becomes the second Memphis employee to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

In 1958, Murphy became the head coach of Memphis, then known as Memphis State, and led the program to national prominence with several obscurity firsts, winning 67.3 percent of its games before departing after the 1971 season, with an overall record of 91.-44-1. In 1960, he oversaw the team's transition to top collegiate status as a member of the NCAA College Division, posting an 8-2 record. As the Tigers' program grew in importance, Murphy replaced small college opponents with big programs, including wins over Florida State, Houston, Miami (FL), Mississippi, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest. . In 1962, Murphy led the Tigers to their first victory over a member of the SEC, a 28-7 victory at Mississippi State.

In 1963, the Tigers posted the school's first undefeated season since 1938 with a 9-0-1 record, and Murphy was named Memphis running back by the Detroit Times as National Coach of the Year.David Casselliclaimed the NCAA rushing title, and the defense recorded five shutouts. The team was ranked 14th in the UPI Coaches Poll, the highest ranking in school history. The only tie this season, on a 0-0 slant, came against No. 2 Ole Miss, who hadn't been out in 47 games. In 1967, Murphy and the Tigers finally got the upper hand, pulling off the program's first win over Ole Miss with a 27-17 home win.

In 1968, Memphis ended its 27-year run as an independent by joining the Missouri Valley Conference, and Murphy was named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in three of the school's first four seasons in the conference. On December 18, 1971, Murphy led Memphis to its first big bowl appearance and victory in a 28–9 win over San Jose State in the Pasadena Bowl. The game was Murphy's last appearance as head coach, and he transitioned to full-time athletic director, a position he began in 1966 and held until 1981.

Murphy was raised in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, before enlisting at Mississippi State in 1939 and playing All-SEC dam for the future College Football Hall of Coach.allyn mckeenwho previously ran the Memphis show. In 1943 and in the midst of World War II, Murphy joined the Marine Corps Reserve and transferred to Duke University to train with the V-12 program. He served heroically in the South Pacific, narrowly escaping at least four times and receiving the Bronze Star, Presidential Citation and Naval Citation. After World War II, Murphy returned to Mississippi State as captain of the 1946 Bulldogs team.

After graduating from Mississippi State, Murphy got his first job as an assistant coach at Memphis for a five-year stint. In 1951 he returned to Mississippi State with coachMurray WarmathHe followed Minnesota in 1954 for four seasons as the running backs coach before becoming Memphis' head coach in 1958 at the age of 37. Murphy has been inducted into the Tennessee State Sports Hall of Fame, the Mississippi State Hall of Fame, and the Memphis M-Club Hall of Fame. Each year, the Billy J. Murphy Award is given to a former Memphis athlete who has excelled in his chosen profession upon graduation, and the Tigers' training facility is named in Murphy's honor.

Gary Pinkel
University of Toledo (1991-2000), University of Missouri (2001-15)
Head coach, 191-110-3 (63.3%)

20th winningest place in Football Bowl Subdivision history at the time of his retirement,GaryUrineHis legacy as the most successful coach in school history at both Toledo and Missouri makes him one of three coaches to have received the honor in two Major League Baseball programs. He becomes the first coach from Toledo and the sixth coach from Missouri to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Pinkel began his head coaching career at Toledo in 1991 and over the next 10 years led the Rockets to new heights, winning 65.9 percent of their games and averaging a career-high 73-37-3 record. of all time in the club's school history. His nine winning seasons in Toledo included the 1995 MAC Championship, where the Rockets went 11-0-1 and finished 24th in recent polls. Pinkel would guide Toledo to three more MAC West Division titles. In 1997, the Rockets went 9-3 and rose to 18th in the national rankings. They repeated again as division champions in 1998 with a 7-5 record. In his final season with the Rockets in 2000, the team won 10-1, including a 24-6 victory at Penn State. The team finished the regular season with the MAC West Division title and was ranked 25th in the AP Poll. He was named MAC Coach of the Year in 1995 and 1997.

Pinkel took over at Missouri in 2001 and inherited a program that had produced only one 10-win season in school history and two winning seasons in the previous 17 years. Pinkel would reshape the program, leading the Tigers to 10 winning seasons (including five years of 10 wins or more), five Conference division titles, 10 bowl appearances, and six bowl wins. The end result: an overall record of 118-73 and the honor of being the most accomplished coach of all time.

Pinkel's Missouri teams have published five top 20 national rankings five times, including AP rankings of #4 in 2007 and #4 in 2007 (Big 12) and 2014 (SEC). In 2007, after a crucial 36-17 victory over arch-rivals Kansas in the Border Showdown at Arrowhead Stadium on November 24, 2007, Mizzou clinched the school's national ranking as No. 1 since 1960. The Tigers subsequently they fell to Oklahoma in the Big 12, but the team finished the season with a school-record 12 wins, including a Cotton Bowl win and a final national ranking of No. 4.

Pinkel's best year may have been 2013, a year after Mizzou joined the SEC. The Tigers, ranked sixth in the SEC East, went to an 11-1 record as Eastern Division champions, giving Pinkel his second Cotton Bowl victory and a 12-win season as well. as a fifth-ranked finish in the national league. Survey. Pinkel would lead the Tigers back to the SEC Championship Game in 2014, losing to Alabama. The team finished the season with a win over Minnesota in the Citrus Bowl and an 11-3 record and was ranked 14th in the AP poll.

After playing his last game in 2015 and announcing his retirement after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Pinkel was ranked the third-best active coach, behind future College Football Hall of Famers.frank projectorfrom Virginia Tech andbill snyderfrom the state of Kansas. Pinkel is also one of only three coaches in history to have been the best coach of two college football programs and to have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.Urso Bryant(Kentucky, Alabama) esteve spurrier(Florida, South Carolina). Pinkel has coached 10 First Team All-Americans, three Academic All-Americans, three NFF National Scholar athletes, and 79 First Team All-Conference players.

Before becoming head coach, Pinkel was an all-conference tight end and honorable mention All-America at Kent State and played for the future College Football Hall of Fame coach.dom james. Pinkel served as an assistant to James at Washington for 12 years, including the 1991 National Huskies team. He also served as an assistant at Kent State and Bowling Green.

Pinkel has been inducted into several halls of fame, including the State of Missouri Sports, St. Louis Sports Commission, Mid-American Conference, Toledo Athletics, Kent State Athletics, and Kenmore High School. Active in the community, he founded the GP Made Foundation to help young people with difficult challenges and has raised more than $10 million for charity. In 2017, Pinkel published an autobiography, The 100-Yard Journey: A Life in Coaching and Battle for the Win.


AboutA National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame
Established in 1947 under the initial leadership of General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik, and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a nonprofit educational organization that operates programs aimed at to enhance the power of amateur soccer in the development of youth scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Future for Football, the William V. Campbell® Trophy, the National Class of NFF Scholar Athletes presented by Fidelity Investments and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF's corporate partners include Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Goodyear, Jostens, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the New York Athletic Club, and Sports Business Journal. follow usFacebook,InstagrammiGore@NFFNetwork and learn more atfundacionfutbol.org.