Robert Hill | |
Death Date: | (aged 81) |
Player Sport1: | Football |
Player Years2: | ?–1955 |
Player Team2: | Jackson State |
Player Years3: | 1956 |
Player Team3: | Baltimore Colts |
Player Years4: | 1956 |
Player Team4: | Pittsburgh Steelers |
Player Positions: | Fullback |
Coach Sport1: | Football |
Coach Years2: | 1959–1960 |
Coach Team2: | Magee HS (MS) |
Coach Years3: | 1961–1962 |
Coach Team3: | Rowan HS (MS) |
Coach Years4: | 1963–1970 |
Coach Team4: | Jackson State (assistant) |
Coach Years5: | 1971–1976 |
Coach Team5: | Jackson State |
Coach Sport6: | Baseball |
Coach Years7: | c. 1970 |
Coach Team7: | Jackson State |
Overall Record: | 44–15–1 (college football) |
Championships: | Football 3 SWAC (1972–1973, 1975) |
Awards: | SWAC Coach of the Year (1971) |
Robert "Big Bob" Hill (– May 17, 2016) was an American football and baseball coach. He served as the head football coach at Jackson State University from 1971 to 1976, compiling a record of 44–15–1. Hill's winning percentage of is the second highest of any head coach in the history of the Jackson State Tigers football program. During his tenure at Jackson State, he mentored future Pro Football Hall of Famers Walter Payton and Jackie Slater. Hill was fired from his post during the 1976 season and replaced by his assistant, W. C. Gorden.[1]
Hill played college football at Jackson State and was selected in the 20th round of the 1956 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts. He was the first Jackson State player to sign a National Football League (NFL) contract. Hill was released by the Colts and signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in August 1956.[2] After coaching at Magee High School and Rowan High School in Mississippi, Hill joined the Jackson State football staff in 1963 and worked as an assistant under Edward Clemons, Rod Paige, and Ulysses S. McPherson. Hill also coached baseball at Jackson State.[3] [4]
Hill died on May 17, 2016.[5] [6]