Kay Stephenson

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George Kay Stephenson (born December 17, 1944) is an American former professional football player and coach, whose latter career has seen him work in four different leagues. Stephenson played quarterback for the American Football League's San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills. He finished his playing career in 1974 in the World Football League with the Jacksonville Sharks before entering the coaching ranks.

Early life

Stephenson was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in 1944, and grew up in nearby Pensacola. He attended Pensacola High School, and he earned All-State accolades as a quarterback. He accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, where he played college football for coach Ray Graves' Florida Gators teams from 1964 to 1966.[1] His arrival on the Florida campus coincided with that of another standout recruit, Steve Spurrier, who became the starting quarterback in 1964, and who won the Heisman Trophy in 1966. Stephenson remained a backup.

Stephenson graduated from Florida with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1967.

Professional football coaching career

After serving as a quarterbacks coach the previous season, Stephenson succeeded Chuck Knox as Buffalo Bills head coach on February 3, 1983.[2][3] Stephenson was reportedly surprised to get the job, claiming that Bills owner Ralph Wilson "never explained his reasons for selecting me."[2] Under Stephenson, the Bills went 8–8 in 1983,[4] 2–14 in 1984,[5] and after they lost their first four games in 1985, Stephenson was replaced by Hank Bullough.[4] Perhaps the most lasting impression that Stephenson left on the Bills was changing their helmet color from white to red prior to the 1984 season, insisting that the change would aid Buffalo quarterbacks in finding receivers downfield. At the time, three of the Bills' four division rivals, the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and Miami Dolphins, wore white helmets. The gambit didn't work as interceptions actually increased the subsequent season.[6]

Stephenson also coached in the World League where he led the Sacramento Surge to the 1992 World Bowl championship, and in the Canadian Football League he coached the San Antonio Texans and the Edmonton Eskimos.

Head coaching record

NFL

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
BUF 1983 8 8 0 Template:Winpct 3rd in AFC East – – – –
BUF 1984 2 14 0 Template:Winpct 5th in AFC East – – – –
BUF 1985 0 4 0 Template:Winpct 5th in AFC East – – – –
BUF Total 10 26 0 Template:Winpct – – –
NFL Total 10 26 0 Template:Winpct – – –

WLAF

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
SAC 1991 3 7 0 Template:Winpct 3rd in NA West – – – –
SAC 1992 8 2 0 Template:Winpct 1st in NA West 2 0 Template:Winpct World Bowl II champions
SAC Total 11 9 0 Template:Winpct 2 0 Template:Winpct
WLAF Total 11 9 0 Template:Winpct 2 0 Template:Winpct

CFL

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
SAC 1993 6 12 0 Template:Winpct 5th in CFL West – – – –
SAC 1994 9 8 1 Template:Winpct 5th in CFL West – – – –
SAC Total 15 20 1 Template:Winpct – – –
SAT 1995 12 6 0 Template:Winpct 2nd in CFL South 1 1 Template:Winpct Lost to Baltimore Stallions in Division Finals
SAT Total 12 6 0 Template:Winpct 1 1 Template:Winpct
EDM 1998 9 9 0 Template:Winpct 2nd in CFL West 1 1 Template:Winpct Lost to Calgary Stampeders in Division Finals
EDM Total 9 9 0 Template:Winpct 1 1 Template:Winpct
CFL Total 36 35 1 Template:Winpct 2 2 Template:Winpct

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ 2011 Florida Gators Football Media Guide Script error: No such module "webarchive"., University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, p. 185 (2011). Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  2. ↑ a b At a Glance: 1983, Relentless: The Hard-Hitting History of Buffalo Bills Football, Sal Maiorana, 1994
  3. ↑ The Month of February In Bills History Script error: No such module "webarchive".
  4. ↑ a b 1983 Buffalo Bills Script error: No such module "webarchive"., History of Pro Football in Western New York
  5. ↑ 1984 Buffalo Bills Script error: No such module "webarchive"., History of Pro Football in Western New York
  6. ↑ Fun and Fashion on the Gridiron, Paul Lukas, ESPN.com Page 2

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