By DALE JONES

THE ISLANDER

djones@gulfcoastnewspapers.com

Ray Perkins was a championship college football player. As a member of the Crimson Tide, Perkins helped lead Alabama to National Championship titles in 1964 and 1965. As team captain, he was an All-American in 1966. He played with the likes of Joe Namath, Ken Stabler and Jackie Sherrill, and later coached guys like Bobby Humphrey, Cornelius Bennett, Walter Lewis and Derrick Thomas.

On Monday night, Perkins will be the featured speaker at the Gulf Coast Athletic Club meeting in Gulf Shores.

Being asked to fill the shoes of legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant would, to some, not be an enviable task. At the time, however, there was probably not a better man for the job than the former Baltimore Colts wide receiver.

Perkins, a native of Petal, Miss., took over the helm of the Crimson Tide in 1983, coming to Tuscaloosa from his position as head coach of the New York Giants. Bill Parcells, who took over for Perkins in New York and who had been originally hired by Perkins, led the Giants to two Super Bowls in 1986 and 1990.

During his four-year stint at Alabama, Perkins enjoyed a 32-15-1 record, including three bowl games as well as becoming the only head coach to lead Alabama to a victory over Notre Dame.

Perkins left Alabama in 1986 to accept the job as head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He later coached at Arkansas State, was the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots from 1993-1996, and served in the same capacity for the Oakland Raiders in 1997.

The Gulf Coast Athletic Club meets in the Cotton Creek Club House at Craft Farms. Guests or prospective new members are welcome for the guest fee of $25 which can be applied to dues should you join GCAC. Spouses and dependent children of members can attend for $15 with advance reservations.

To make your reservations to hear Coach Ray Perkins speak, RSVP Dec McCleelland at 251-968-9010 or Fred Dickinson at 251975-1500.