Bob Williams (coach)

Bob Williams
Williams pictured in The Bugle 1908, Virginia Tech yearbook
Sport(s) Football
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1902–1903
1904–1905
1906
1907
1909, 1913–1915, 1926		 South Carolina
Davidson
Clemson
Virginia Tech
Clemson
Head coaching record
Overall 52–24–7

C. Robert "Bob" Williams was a college American football coach active in the 1900s and 1910s. Williams coached at South Carolina, Davidson, Clemson, and Virginia Tech.

A 1902 graduate of the University of Virginia, Williams served as the Gamecocks' mentor for two seasons, 1902 and 1903, achieving 6–1 and 8–2 records. In 1902, he oversaw an upset of the rival Clemson Tigers, who were coached by John Heisman. This was the only game lost by the Tigers that year.

From 1904 to 1905 he coached at Davidson, where he compiled a 9-4-1 record.

Williams came to Clemson in 1906. The Tigers went undefeated with a 4–0–3 record, with wins over Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, and the John Heisman-coached Georgia Tech team. Clemson's first forward pass took place on November 29, 1906, during the game with Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Left End Powell Lykes, dropped back to kick, but lobbed a 30-yard pass to George Warren instead. Clemson won, 10–0.

Williams left for Virginia Tech for the 1907 season, leading the Hokies to a 7–2 record. Williams then returned to Clemson in 1909. The 1909 season was notable for the resumption of the Clemson-Carolina rivalry after a five-year gap, caused by a near riot in October 1903. The Tigers enjoyed a 6–3 season under Williams' guidance and defeated the Gamecocks, 6–0, in Columbia on November 4.

Williams was replaced by Frank Dobson in 1910 who had a three-year run at the school, the first coach to actually have a signed contract. With Dobson's departure after the 1912 season, Williams returned for the second time to the Clemson head coaching position. He, too, would serve for three years, 1913–1915. The Tigers produced records of 4–4 in 1913, 5–3–1 in 1914, and 2–4–2 in 1915. In the 41 games that Williams coached in five seasons, he went 21–14–6, for a .585 winning percentage.

Between the years of 1915 and 1926, Williams practiced law in Roanoke, Virginia, and was the city's mayor. He returned to coach Clemson for the final 5 games of 1926.

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
1902 South Carolina 6–1
1903 South Carolina 8–2
1904 Davidson 6–1–1
1905 Davidson 3–3
1906 Clemson 4–0–3
1907 Virginia Tech 7–2
1909 Clemson 6–3
1913 Clemson 4–4
1914 Clemson 6–3–1
1915 Clemson 2–4–2
1926 Clemson 0–5
Total: 52–24–7

References

External links