Former Head Football Coach Bob Tyler Passes Away

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University mourns the loss of former head coach Bob Tyler, who passed away on Sunday. He was 91 years old.

Tyler served as Mississippi State's head football coach for six seasons from 1973-78. He was inducted into the Mississippi State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.

A native of Water Valley, Mississippi, Tyler began coaching in 1957 at Water Valley High School and served as head coach at numerous high schools in the state over the next 11 years. During his time in the high school ranks, he posted an impressive 91-19-6 record.

Following his success at the high school level, Tyler moved to the college level, where he was an assistant coach at Ole Miss and Alabama before becoming head coach at Mississippi State in 1973.

The 27th head football coach in MSU history, Tyler turned in four winning seasons with the Bulldogs, including a pair of nine-win campaigns. During the 1974 season, Tyler led the Bulldogs to a 9-3 record, including SEC wins against Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and a victory over North Carolina in the Sun Bowl. That year, he was named National Churchman's Hall of Fame Coach of the Year after guiding the Bulldogs to a No. 17 final ranking and the second-best season record in program history at the time. Only the 10-0-1 mark of the 1940 team topped the 1974 results.

Tyler coached in the SEC for 10 years from 1968-78, including a six-year reign as MSU's head coach. He served as both head coach and director of athletics from 1976-79, assuming the twin roles in May 1976. He was offensive coordinator for MSU in 1972 before being selected as head coach in 1973.

For those wanting to pay their respects to coach Tyler, funeral arrangements can be found below.

Tuesday, April 30
Visitation from 4-7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Water Valley, Miss.

Wednesday, May 1
Visitation from 10-11 am. at First Baptist Church in Water Valley, Miss. with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m.

For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."

– HailState.com –

Mississippi State University Athletics

Former Head Football Coach Bob Tyler Passes Away

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