Former Alabama Star Player and Athletic Director Hootie Ingram Passes Away at 90

Former Alabama football star and athletic director Cecil “Hootie” Ingram passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024, at the age of 90.

Ingram, who had suffered an injury from a fall in March, died at a Birmingham hospital, as confirmed by an athletic department spokeswoman, citing information from the family.

A standout All-Southeastern Conference defensive back, Ingram made history in 1952 by leading the nation with 10 interceptions as a sophomore, setting both school and league single-season records that endure to this day.

“Hootie left a lasting impact on The University of Alabama as both a student-athlete and administrator,” remarked Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Our condolences go out to his family and friends.”

Born in Tuscaloosa, Ingram also played halfback and shared the field with quarterback Bart Starr while excelling as an All-SEC second baseman.

Although he initially signed with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, Ingram pivoted to a coaching career at high schools in the Tuscaloosa area.

He later served as head coach at Clemson for three seasons, followed by various assistant coaching positions at Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Georgia, and Arkansas.

Transitioning to administrative roles, Ingram served as associate commissioner of the SEC from 1972 to 1981. He then became the athletic director at Florida State University from 1981 to 1989 before returning to his alma mater to lead the athletic department until his retirement in 1995.

During his tenure as athletic director at Alabama, Ingram made the pivotal decision to hire Gene Stallings as head football coach, leading the Crimson Tide to a national championship victory in 1992.

Recognized for his contributions, Ingram was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 and was selected as a second-team defensive back on Alabama’s “Team of the Century.”

In 2007, he received the National Alumni Association’s Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award for his outstanding character, societal contributions, professional achievements, and service since leaving the university.