NFL legend Jerry Rice recently shared a heartfelt tribute to his beloved former coach, Archie Cooley. Cooley is a pioneer coach in college football, and he recently passed away at 84. His family announced the news on Thursday, though the cause of death remains undisclosed. “The MVSU Family sends our condolences to the Cooley Family,” Mississippi Valley State University was the first to share their condolences on social media.

Cooley, aka “The Gunslinger,” coached at the university in the mid-1980s. His strategies helped to shape Rice into the iconic player he became. Thus, one can expect the toll Rice would have suffered when he heard the news. 

Jerry Rice mourns for Archie Cooley

Jerry Rice recently took to Instagram to mourn the loss of Archie “The Gunslinger” Cooley, a beloved football coach and mentor. In his heartfelt post, Rice wrote: “He was a great friend, coach, mentor, and father figure, just like Bill Walsh. He took the time to meet me face to face when he recruited me to Mississippi Valley State, and that says a lot about him as a person. That meeting was one of the main reasons I chose #MVSU. His impact on #HBCU football was huge, and he was an offensive genius. His legacy will live on forever. Love you, Coach Cooley, RIP!” Jerry Rice also shared this tearjerking tribute on his Instagram story, emphasizing his love for the coach.

The legendary coach spent 19 seasons leading teams at four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), achieving a record of 83 wins, 78 losses, and 5 ties. His coaching career reached new heights when he joined Mississippi Valley State in the SWAC in 1980. He changed the game with a new offensive style that helped make Jerry Rice a legend.

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Archie Cooley launched Rice’s success in the NFL

Coach Archie Cooley was a visionary who transformed college football. His “Satellite Express” offense featured five wide receivers and a fast-paced, no-huddle style. This was quite a radical move from the usual run-heavy attacks in the mid-80s. With quarterback Willie Totten and receiver Jerry Rice leading the charge, this innovative scheme shattered all NCAA records.

Thus, Cooley’s system propelled MSV to its only Division I-AA playoff appearance in 1984. Again, Rice dominated, catching 112 passes for 1,845 yards and 27 touchdowns in just 11 games. This performance launched Rice’s NFL career as a first-round draft pick for the San Francisco 49ers. He went on to a legendary two-decade career in the NFL and earned a spot in the Hall of Fame. Undoubtedly, Rice deeply values the coach who revolutionized the sport and acted as a “father figure,” guiding him to greatness.