The world of college football and radio broadcasting is mourning the loss of a revered figure, Bill Burgess, former Jacksonville State University football coach and father of Rick and Greg Burgess from the nationally syndicated Rick and Bubba radio show. Bill Burgess passed away on December 13, 2023, at the age of 82.
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The news of Burgess’s passing was confirmed by his son, Rick Burgess, a prominent radio personality known for “The Rick and Bubba Show.” Rick shared the heart-wrenching announcement on Wednesday morning, revealing that his father had passed away at 1:11 a.m.
“To many, he is a coach, but to his family, he is Husband, Dad, and Pop,” Rick Burgess wrote on Instagram, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the personal side of the man whose influence extended far beyond coaching.
“Coaching was his profession but it was not his identity,” Rick continued, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of his father’s character. “God has been so gracious to me in so many ways. I will always be grateful that my heavenly Father gave me an earthly father like Bill Burgess. Truly one of a kind.”
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Bill Burgess’s impact on the football world was profound, having led the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks for 12 seasons from 1985 to 1996, a period that included the team’s triumph in the NCAA Division Two National Championship in 1992. His coaching record at JSU stood at 84-49-4, a testament to his strategic prowess and leadership on the field.
Beyond the football arena, Bill Burgess was also known as a loving father to Rick and Greg Burgess, who, together, form the dynamic duo behind the nationally syndicated Rick and Bubba radio show. The Burgess family’s connection to the world of radio has endeared them to a vast audience, and Bill Burgess’s influence undoubtedly played a role in shaping the careers of his sons.
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