James McKinley (American football)

James "Jim" Ruffin McKinley (February 25, 1945 – July 6, 2012) was an American football player, coach and businessman. He coached football teams at several historically black colleges and universities, was a defensive coach for the USFL's Oklahoma Outlaws, and served as executive director of the Heritage Bowl, which he helped create.

Playing career

McKinley played at tight end for Western Michigan University's football team, was named to WMU's All Century Football Team in 2005^[2] and was inducted into the WMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.^[3]

Coaching career

Central State

McKinley got his first head coaching position at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio from 1974 until the end of the 1976 seasons.^[4]

North Carolina A&T

After coaching at Central State, McKinley moved on to be the head coach at North Carolina A&T from 1977 to 1981 ^[4] His record at NCA&T was 29 wins, 32 losses and 1 tie with a highlight 9 wins and 3 losses for the 1980 season.^[5]

Prairie View A&M

McKinley was the 14th head college football coach for the Prairie View A&M University Panthers^[6] located in Prairie View, Texas and he held that position for the 1982 season.^[7] His career coaching record at Prairie View was 1 wins, 10 losses, and 0 ties. As of the conclusion of the 2007 season, this ranks him 19th at Prairie View in total wins and 19th at Prairie View in winning percentage (0.091). ^[8]

Other coaching positions

McKinley's coaching career also took him to Eastern Michigan University, USFL’s Oklahoma Outlaws, where he served as defensive line coach,^[9] and the University of Missouri.^[10]

Business accomplishments

McKinley started McKinley Financial Services, Inc., in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company has become one of the largest minority insurance agencies in the United States with over 50 agents and staff. He was awarded the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award from Western Michigan University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1966.^[10]

Heritage Bowl

In 1991, McKinley formulated the idea of the Heritage Bowl, an annual college football bowl game matching up two Division I-AA teams left out of the division's playoff system.^[11] McKinley served as the bowl's executive director in its first years. Despite massive financial losses,^[12] poor attendance,^[12] protests from neighborhood residents,^[13] and a lack of television coverage in its first year,^[14] the bowl continued to be played every year until 1999, when the game was discontinued.

References

External links

• James McKinley at the College Football Data Warehouse