Coach Willie E. Jeffries – A Trailblazer in American Football

Building a Legacy One Brick at a Time

Born and raised in South Carolina, Coach Willie E. Jeffries broke barriers and built legacies that forever changed the landscape of American football. His journey began at Granard High School in Gaffney, South Carolina — the all-Black school where he first molded young men not only into skilled athletes but into leaders, scholars, and citizens of character. His early years at Granard reflected his lifelong commitment to excellence, discipline, and opportunity for all. 

Coach Jeffries went on to make history as one of the most respected figures in collegiate sports. He served as head coach at South Carolina State College (now South Carolina State University), where his leadership turned the Bulldogs into a powerhouse program, earning national attention and producing numerous professional athletes. His coaching philosophy emphasized integrity, preparation, and pride — lessons that extended far beyond the football field. 

In 1979, Coach Jeffries shattered a long-standing racial barrier when he became the first Black head football coach at a Division I-A (now FBS) predominantly white institution, taking the helm at Wichita State University. His appointment marked a defining moment in American sports history, symbolizing courage, progress, and the unyielding spirit of a man who believed that ability and character mattered more than color.

Throughout his remarkable career, Coach Jeffries accumulated 179 career wins and numerous honors, including induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Black College Football Hall of Fame. Yet those who know him best say his true legacy lies in the thousands of lives he touched — the players, students, and communities he inspired through humility, humor, and heart.

Today, as we honor Coach Jeffries with a bronze statue in Gaffney, we celebrate not only his victories on the field but the walls he tore down and the doors he opened.

Every brick purchased helps build this lasting tribute to a man whose life reminds us that “excellence has no color, and leadership has no limits.”

How to Order:

Just follow the simple step-by-step process below to place your order. Be sure you are happy with your brick design as it will look very similar to the image on your computer when completed.

Payment Options:

Pay by check or money order.
Follow the on-screen directions during checkout.

If you have any questions, please contact
Millicent Norris at 864-279-5984 or millicent.norris@yahoo.com