Ole Miss Football: Ole Miss Loses A Legend With Billy Brewer’s Passing
It was announced late Saturday night that former Ole Miss football legend, player and head coach Billy Brewer had passed away.
After a graduation weekend which was full of festivities we all learned the news that Rebel great and former head coach Billy Brewer had passed away. A staple of Ole Miss football Billy Brewer was a mainstay with the Ole Miss football program. He was always around the program and certainly played his part in putting Ole Miss football on the map.
In the 1980’s and 90’s if you were a Ole Miss fan then you are very familiar with Brewer. He was not only a player but was also head coach for the Rebels for 11 seasons. During his tenure he was responsible for some of the greatest Ole Miss football in history. As a head coach he won 8 Egg Bowls and was 4-0 against Miss State as a player for the Rebels.
An iconic photo of two people who epitomize what it means to be an Ole Miss Rebel. Today, Billy Brewer joined Chucky Mullens as the former head coach passed away.
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) May 13, 2018
Few loved Ole Miss, its people and his players like he did. God speed, coach. pic.twitter.com/9ID1FBmCg2
Remembering Dog Brewer
Ole Miss Rebels Football
Born in Columbus, Mississippi Billy Brewer was a former player for Johnny Vaught from 1957 to 1960. Brewer played quarterback and defensive back for the Rebels while also punting and playing placeholder for field goals. Brewer was of course part of the 1959 Rebels which could easily be argued as the best football team in SEC history.
After playing in the NFL with the Washington Redskins Brewer got into coaching. Widely known as a student of the game it wasn’t long before the former Ole Miss player was a head coach. Brewer coached at Southeastern Louisiana and Louisiana Tech before returning home to Oxford as Ole Miss head coach.
No.2 Coach All-Time In Oxford
As a head coach Brewer compiled a record of 125-94-6 and was 3-2 in bowl games. In his 11 seasons as Ole Miss head coach he became the second winning-est coach in Ole Miss history. He will always be associated with another Ole Miss legend, Chucky Mullins who was paralyzed during a tackle in the Vanderbilt game while Billy Brewer was his head coach. Brewer will also be remembered for his passion for Ole Miss football and the Oxford community. Per Chuck Rounsaville,
"“First, I’m going to remember him as a great Rebel. He was all about Ole Miss in everything he did. That was our connection as well. Through the years we maintained a strong friendship because of our affection and caring for Ole Miss.” ~Chuck Rounsaville"
Billy Brewer epitomized ‘being a Rebel’ and loved Ole Miss football and the players he coached. He will be missed by the people who loved him and played for him as well as the rest of Rebel nation. Our hearts break for the Brewer family on the passing of a true Rebels legend. Rest in peace coach Brewer. HT