MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jordan, Norwood, Butler, Blackmon, Jackson, Thomas, Blount, Brumfield, Frazier, Simmons (13th), Turner-Ford, Chassaniol, Horhn
A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE SINCEREST CONDOLENCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO THE SURVIVING FAMILY OF FORMER JACKSON STATE FOOTBALL STAR AND MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE FOOTBALL COACH ARCHIE "THE GUNSLINGER" COOLEY.
WHEREAS, we join the alumni and fans of Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University football in mourning the passing of a legendary football player and coach. Former Jackson State football player Archie Cooley, who later went on to Coach at Mississippi Valley State, passed away on April 18, 2024. He was 85; and
WHEREAS, Archie Cooley was known as the "The Gunslinger" and during his time at Mississippi Valley State introduced his innovative "Satellite Express" offense. The offense featured a no-huddle look with five wide receivers and showcased Quarterbacks Willie Totten and Jerry Rice. Rice would go on to a stellar career with the San Francisco 49ers, election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is considered one of the greatest receivers in the history of the NFL; and
WHEREAS, Cooley was born in Sumrall and raised in Laurel where he attended Oak Park High School; and
WHEREAS, Cooley played for Jackson State from 1959-1961 and was Captain of the team. He started at linebacker and center for Coach John Merritt. Cooley graduated in 1962; and
WHEREAS, Coach Cooley's first coaching job was at Southside High School in Heidelberg, where he worked for seven years. After two seasons as an Assistant Coach at Alcorn State and time at Tennessee State, Cooley got his big break at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU); and
WHEREAS, Cooley's record at MVSU was 42-27-2 and went on to lead the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff to a 27-13-2 record. He was out of coaching before taking over at Paul Quinn University. His career record was 83-78-5; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, Archie Cooley was inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Coach Cooley, the cowboy hat-wearing coach, was Southwestern Athletic Conference royalty in the 1960s. Cooley's football teams were putting up video game numbers before video games really became a thing. Mind-boggling scores just kept popping up, one Saturday after another, as Cooley's Delta Devils, featuring the oh-so-potent tandem of Jerry Rice (nicknamed "World") and Willie Totten (nicknamed "Satellite"), lit up scoreboards all across the SWAC and throughout the South. Fans and defensive coordinators would look in bewilderment when they saw four wide receivers lined up on one side of the formation and one on the other. Much of what you see on the football field today is because of what Cooley implemented in the early 1980s; and
WHEREAS, "Coach Cooley was a trailblazing pioneer and the tremendous impact he had on the game of football and the countless number of lives he touched will be forever remembered," SWAC Commissioner Charles McClelland said; and
WHEREAS, Jackson State Athletic Director Ashley Robinson said Cooley was a legend in the SWAC. "He not only meant a lot to Jackson State, but to every school in the conference," said Robinson. "What he was able to do with the game of football and implement the changes that are still around today, speaks volumes. His legacy as a coach will live on forever, and his place here at Jackson State as a player will last forever":
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the sincerest condolences of the Mississippi Senate to the surviving family of former Jackson State Football Star and Mississippi Valley State Football Coach Archie "The Gunslinger" Cooley, and recognize his legendary position in Mississippi football history.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Archie Cooley, forwarded to the President of Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.