William E. Peterson was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. His career included head coaching stops at Florida State University, Rice University and with the Houston Oilers of the National Football League (NFL). Considered one of the unique characters in college sports, Peterson is credited with bringing the pro passing game to college football. He is also known as the "Coach of Coaches", having tutored such coaches as Joe Gibbs, Bill Parcells, Bobby Bowden, Don James, Dan Henning, Ken Meyer and many others. Coach "Pete", as he was known, is also remembered for his reshaping of the English language. One of his more novel expressions was to have his team "pair off in groups of threes, then line up in a circle." Beyond his trials with syntax, Peterson is best remembered for bringing the Seminoles to the forefront of college football, using pro-style offenses and a much feared passing game.
Peterson (right) with University of Florida assistant coach Gene Ellenson in 1961
The Houston Oilers were a professional American football team that played in Houston from its founding in 1960 to 1996. The Oilers began play as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL) and won two AFL championships before joining the NFL in the AFL–NFL merger of the late 1960s.
Pro Football Hall of Famer running back Earl Campbell was the centerpiece of the Oilers' offense in the late 1970s and early 1980s, earning several NFL awards, AFC rushing titles and five Pro Bowls.
AFC Pro Bowlers Warren Moon (left) and Mike Rozier (right) made major contributions to the Oilers' offense in the late 1980s while leading the team to several playoff appearances.
The now-abandoned Astrodome, which was the home of the Houston Astros, had football turf still intact after the Oilers' departure.
