Jackie Sherrill

Jackie Wayne Sherrill (born November 28, 1943) is a former American football player and coach. He was the head football coach at Washington State University (1976), the University of Pittsburgh (1977–1981), Texas A&M University (1982–1988), and Mississippi State University (1991–2003), compiling a career college football record of 180–120–4. Sherrill is a studio analyst for Fox Sports Net's college football coverage.

Playing career

Sherrill played football at the University of Alabama under Bear Bryant from 1962 to 1965, helping the Crimson Tide win two national championships.

Coaching career

Washington State

Sherrill was the head coach at Washington State for one year, in 1976. During his one season, the Cougars had a win-loss record of 3-8.

Pittsburgh

Sherrill was the head coach at the University of Pittsburgh from 1977 to 1981. Before going to Washington State, Sherrill had served as an assistant at Pittsburgh under head coach Johnny Majors. When Majors left Pittsburgh to return to his alma mater at the University of Tennessee, Sherrill returned to become the head coach of the Panthers. He is credited with grooming quarterback Dan Marino, who went on to a prolific Hall of Fame career in the National Football League after being Sherrill's last quarterback at Pitt, from 1979 to 1982. During his tenure, Sherrill's coaching staff included future NFL head coaches Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wannstedt. In Sherrill's five seasons at Pittsburgh, the Panthers won 50 games, lost nine, and had one tie.

Sherrill's last 3 Pitt teams went 11-1 each season and finished the seasons ranked #7 in 1979, #2 in 1980 & #4 in 1981. Additional Pitt's 1980 team was recognized by no less than the NY Times and several other ranking systems as the National Champion, #1 ranked team, that year. That 1980 Pitt team was loaded with future NFL All-Pro's & Hall of Famers. Including DE Hugh Green, who finished 2nd in the Heisman Award balloting that year, the highest a defensive player ever finished up to that time. Others included Mark May, Jimbo Covert, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Carlton Williamson & first round draft pick Tim Lewis. As well as the aforementioned Dan Marino, the No 1 pick of the Miami Dolphins, where he became a legend in South Florida. Many college football historians consider this one of the great college teams of all-time, considering the NFL talent on the team.

Sherrill's last team at Pitt in 1981 was ranked in the Top 10 the entire season, peaking at Number 1 for 4 weeks in November and finishing the season ranked Number 4. Including a most exciting last minute 24-20 win over No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, on a Dan Marino touchdown heave to TE John Brown.

Jackie Sherrill is considered one of the Top football Head Coaches ever in the storied history of Pitt football.