Former Jackson State football player Archie Cooley dies at 83

Archie Cooley, the pioneering Black college football coach known for his innovative offense, has passed away at the age of 84.

His family announced his death through Mississippi Valley State University on April 18, 2024.

The school expressed its condolences to the Cooley family in a social media post but did not provide details about his passing.

Nicknamed “Gunslinger” for his love of the passing game, Cooley enjoyed a remarkable coaching career spanning 19 seasons at four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), accumulating a record of 83-78-5.

A native of Mississippi, Cooley initially played football at Jackson State University in the Southwestern Athletic Conference during the early 1960s before transitioning into coaching as a defensive assistant.

Cooley made his mark as a head coach in the SWAC at Mississippi Valley State in 1980. His innovative five-wide receiver, no-huddle offense revolutionized the passing game, particularly notable during an era dominated by run-heavy strategies.

Under Cooley’s leadership, the Satellite Express offense, featuring quarterback Willie “Satellite” Totten and wide receiver Jerry Rice, set numerous NCAA records.

Rice’s exceptional performance in 1984, with 112 catches for 1,845 yards and 27 touchdowns, propelled Mississippi Valley State to its only Division I-AA playoff appearance.

Rice’s subsequent success in the NFL, as a first-round draft pick and Hall of Famer, further solidified Cooley’s legacy as a trailblazer in football coaching.

After leaving Mississippi Valley State in 1986, Cooley went on to lead the football program at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, guiding it from the NAIA into the SWAC conference.

Although he briefly stepped away from coaching, Cooley returned in 2000 to assist in launching the football program at Paul Quinn College in Dallas. However, the program was disbanded in 2006 due to funding issues.

In recognition of his contributions to college football, Cooley was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 2007.

Funeral arrangements for Cooley are currently pending, according to Mississippi Valley State University.