Joe Gilliam, Sr.

Who is Joe Gilliam, Sr.?

Joseph W. Gilliam, Sr. was a former college football quarterback and coach.

Gilliam was born in Steubenville, Ohio, and began his collegiate playing career at Indiana University before transferring to West Virginia State University, where he was an All-American at quarterback.

Gilliam was head football and basketball coach at Oliver High School in Winchester, Kentucky from 1952 to 1954, winning a state championship in football in 1954.

Gilliam joined coach John Merritt's coaching staff at Jackson State University in 1955 and left in 1957 to become head coach at Kentucky State University. After compiling a record of 2-13-1 at KSU, he coached briefly at the high school level before returning to Merritt's staff at Jackson State.

He followed the legendary Merritt to Tennessee State University, where, as defensive coordinator, he helped the Tigers to four undefeated seasons and seven Black College National Titles in a 20-year span.

Gilliam would serve as head coach at TSU from 1989 to 1992, earning Ohio Valley Conference Coach Of The Year honors in 1990. He is father of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Joe Gilliam, and the grandfather of R&B singer Joi. Gilliam was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall Of Fame in 2007. At the time of his death, Gilliam was residing in Nashville.