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Billy Kinard

Ethan Levine

By Ethan Levine

Last Updated:

Billy Kinard, older brother of Ole Miss legend Frank “Bruiser” Kinard, played college football at Ole Miss in the 1950’s and later returned to Oxford to serve as the Rebels’ head coach for three seasons from 1971-1973. He began his coaching career as the running backs coach at Auburn in 1961 and served as an assistant coach at Florida for four seasons from 1964-1967. After one season as defensive coordinator at Arkansas in 1970 he was hired by his alma mater to take over as head coach.

In his first year as the head man at Ole Miss, Kinard led the Rebels to a 10-2 record and a Peach Bowl victory. The Rebels ended that season ranked No. 15 in the final Associated Press poll. Ole Miss dropped to 5-5 in Kinard’s second season in 1972, and the Rebels opened the 1973 season with a 1-2 record before Kinard was replaced by the legendary Johnny Vaught for the final eight games of the season. He would go on to coach one season at Gardner-Webb, and retired with a career record of 20-14-1.

Coaching History Team Years
Head Coach Gardner Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs 1978
Assistant Coach Cleveland Browns 1976-1977
Head Coach Ole Miss Rebels 1971-1973
Defensive Coordinator Arkansas Razorbacks 1970
Assistant Coach Florida Gators 1964-1967
running Backs Coach Auburn Tigers 1961
Ethan Levine

A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.

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