William Ellis Atkins (November 19, 1934 – November 5, 1991)[2] was an American football defensive back and punter from Auburn University who played for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League, and in the American Football League for the Buffalo Bills, the New York Titans/Jets, and the Denver Broncos. He was an AFL All-Star in 1961.
![]() Atkins in 1963 | |||||||
No. 29, 20, 2, 28 | |||||||
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Position: | Defensive back, punter | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | (1934-11-19)November 19, 1934 Millport, Alabama | ||||||
Died: | November 5, 1991(1991-11-05) (aged 56) El Paso, Texas | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
College: | Auburn | ||||||
NFL Draft: | 1958 / Round: 5 / Pick: 59 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
As a player: | |||||||
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As a coach: | |||||||
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Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||
On January 8, 1966, Atkins was named the head coach of the Troy State Trojans football team. In 1968, he coached Troy State to an NAIA National Championship and was named the NAIA Coach of the Year. Atkins finished at Troy State with a 44–16–2 record before leaving in 1971. He is the second-most winningest coach in Troy history, only behind Larry Blakeney.
Atkins' son, author William Ellis "Ace" Atkins Jr., also played football at Auburn and was member of its 1993 undefeated team.[3][4]
Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
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Troy State Trojans (Alabama Collegiate Conference) (1966–1969) | |||||||||
1966 | Troy State | 5–5 | 1–2 | ||||||
1967 | Troy State | 8–2 | 3–0 | 1st | |||||
1968 | Troy State | 11–1 | 3–0 | 1st | W NAIA Championship | ||||
1969 | Troy State | 8–1–1 | 3–0 | 1st | |||||
Troy State Trojans (Mid-South Athletic Conference / Gulf South Conference) (1970–1971) | |||||||||
1970 | Troy State | 6–4–1 | 3–2 | 3rd | |||||
1971 | Troy State | 6–3 | 5–1 | T–1st | |||||
Troy State: | 44–16–2 | 18–5 | |||||||
Total: | 44–16–2 | ||||||||
National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth |
Troy Trojans head football coaches | |
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# denotes interim head coach |
Troy Trojans athletic directors | |
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# denotes interim athletic director |
1957 Auburn Tigers football—AP national champions | |
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San Francisco 49ers 1958 NFL draft selections | |
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Buffalo Bills 1960 inaugural season roster | |
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AFL annual interceptions leaders | |
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NFL annual punting yards leaders | |
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†Denotes American Football League (AFL) punting yards leaders from 1960–1969, which are included due to the NFL absorbing AFL statistics and records. |
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