Ken Coley (Where is he now? -- No Teasers)

[smokewagon212]

I may have been mistaken on the spelling. He was a BAMA QB in the early eighties. I went a football camp at Erwin highschool in Bham when I was a kid. He was a very nice young man then, and I was wondering if anyone has any info on him. Stats or Bio stuff. Or am I the only one who remembers him.

 

[drsmithofga]

I remember Ken. He was an H.S. All-State QB at Erwin and was a four year letterman from 79-82 at Bama. Walter Lewis came in 1980 (along with Paul Fields from Gardendale), and of course Walter was an All-American QB, so Ken's playing time was limited. Ken was the surprise starter against Auburn for Coach Bryant's record setting 315th win. I've heard he now lives around the Pinson area of Birmingham.

 

[PattheCatinSaudi]

He was, IMHO, the best triple option QB we ever had. He had a freak injury to a nerve in his wrist on his throwing hand and after that could basically only kinda shot-putt the ball. Had he stayed healthy, he would be remembered today as a great QB. :cool2:

 

[TheCapstone]

Ken Coley, there's a blast from the past. It's funny how many of these kids one can just forget about over the years. Ken was just packed with potential, but as mentioned, he was injury prone. The kid was without doubt a player, very quick and talented. Speaking of Walter Lewis, when that guy was on his game, there hasn't been a better all around QB at the Capstone.

 

[TiderinVA]

I've got an old University yearbook from 1981-82

and in the section on the football team, there's a great picture of him running the ball with FB Ricky Moore (#26) and HB Joe Carter (#46) lead blocking for him. He was a good option QB but I never knew about the injury thing.

 

[Bama16InTN]

ken Coley

I agree he was very athletic, but best triple threat Q.B.? I would have to say Terry Davis!!!

 

[BamaFan1961]

I saw him in Trussville in 2000. I believe that is where he still lives. If my menory serves me right, he blew out a knee returning a punt or kickoff in early 1980 (?) and wasn't the same afterwards.

 

[ForeverBama]

I agree he was very athletic, but best triple threat Q.B.? I would have to say Terry Davis!!!

Yup! Best ever!

S. Shealy was pretty dang good too.

 

[deliveryman35]

I vaguely remember Ken...Was he there when Don Jacobs was on the roster?

 

[Displaced Bama Fan]

Who was the QB from Oklahoma, who eventually converted to a back up safety back in the 80s?

 

[drsmithofga]

Who was the QB from Oklahoma, who eventually converted to a back up safety back in the 80s?

Probably not who you are thinking of, but it sounds like Tommy Wilcox, an All-American at Safety, who came in as a highly regarded QB in 1979. He's from Louisiana, though. Warren Foust fits the bill, but he played 95-98.

 

[PattheCatinSaudi]

I agree he was very athletic, but best triple threat Q.B.? I would have to say Terry Davis!!!

TD was a great option QB as was Steadman. Walter Lewis was a great all-round QB. But IMHO, Ken ran the option far better than any other QB in the wishbone era.

Steadman, on the other hand, was probably pound for pound the toughest player to play for CPB. Certainly the toughest QB.

 

[Displaced Bama Fan]

Probably not who you are thinking of, but it sounds like Tommy Wilcox, an All-American at Safety, who came in as a highly regarded QB in 1979. He's from Louisiana, though. Warren Foust fits the bill, but he played 95-98.

I was thinking Billy Ray Smith for some reason....I don't remember if that's right though.

 

[Dixiedawg]

I may have been mistaken on the spelling. He was a BAMA QB in the early eighties. I went a football camp at Erwin highschool in Bham when I was a kid. He was a very nice young man then, and I was wondering if anyone has any info on him. Stats or Bio stuff. Or am I the only one who remembers him.

I am married to his uncles widow. Ken lives in Birmingham still or did the last time talked with his cousin. Wore #11 if I remember correctly.

 

[exiledNms]

I remember Ken. Didn't he have a huge game against LSU one year? A tough, quick QB. Fun to watch play.

 

[jjBama]

I remember Ken. He was an H.S. All-State QB at Erwin and was a four year letterman from 79-82 at Bama. Walter Lewis came in 1980 (along with Paul Fields from Gardendale), and of course Walter was an All-American QB, so Ken's playing time was limited. Ken was the surprise starter against Auburn for Coach Bryant's record setting 315th win. I've heard he now lives around the Pinson area of Birmingham.

Incorrect. Alan Gray started the 81 iron bowl, the 315 game.

 

[bamaga]

Holy Zombie, Batman!

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

TD was a great option QB as was Steadman. Walter Lewis was a great all-round QB. But IMHO, Ken ran the option far better than any other QB in the wishbone era.

Steadman, on the other hand, was probably pound for pound the toughest player to play for CPB. Certainly the toughest QB.

I think Shealy was the best triple option QB Alabama ever put on the field.

 

[Padreruf]

Coley came off the bench against UK at their stadium -- and brought UA back from the dead. On a key down -- 3rd or 4th -- he disengaged from a defender who had him dead to rights and made a first down. Bama went on to score the winning touchdown. I was there and went from agony to ecstasy in a few minutes...we won 19-10.

 

[TitleWave]

Holy Zombie, Batman!

Read that as "Holy Zombie, Bartman!" and thought somebody had resurrected Coley's running (and off-season training) buddy, Bart Krout, another good'un from the Birmingham area. Prominent reference to him in this NYT sports flashback

The New York Times: This Day In Sports