HBCU icon sparks major buzz by receiving highest honor

It started with a chalkboard and a dream. In 1976, a young Bill Hayes took the reins of Winston-Salem State’s football program with just one assistant coach, limited resources, and a blueprint that would forever change HBCU football.

Last week, nearly 50 years later, Hayes stood on stage at WSSU’s spring commencement, receiving an honorary doctorate—an academic exclamation point to a career defined by innovation, grit, and greatness.

Hayes is more than a coach. He’s a builder of dynasties. From 1976 to 1987, he led the Rams to an 89–40–2 record, claiming three CIAA championships (1977, 1978, 1987) and five Southern Division titles. His 1977 and 1978 teams each went 11–1, with the latter advancing to the NCAA Division II playoffs—an almost unthinkable feat for an HBCU at the time.

Hayes introduced the split-back veer offense and the wide tackle six defense—schemes rarely seen at HBCUs in the 1970s. He brought discipline, creativity, and professional-level preparation to a program that needed a spark. That spark turned into a fire.

He went on to lead rival North Carolina A&T to three MEAC titles before retiring from coaching in 2003, but his leadership didn’t stop on the sideline. Hayes transitioned to athletic director roles at North Carolina Central, Florida A&M, and finally back at WSSU, where he served until 2014.

From coach to administrator, his influence spanned every level of college athletics. His name now graces the football field at WSSU’s Bowman Gray Stadium, and he’s enshrined in multiple halls of fame. But for Hayes, the honorary doctorate might be the most meaningful.

It symbolizes what he’s always stood for: excellence in every arena.

For HBCU sports fans, Bill Hayes isn’t just a legend—he’s a blueprint. His story reminds us that greatness can be born from scarcity, and that legacies, like championships, are built one decision at a time. Let’s continue telling stories like his—and building on the foundation he laid.