Rex Dockery

John "Rex" Dockery (February 7, 1942 – December 12, 1983) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Texas Tech University from 1978 to 1980 and at Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis, from 1981 to 1983, compiling a career college football record of 23–40–3. Dockery was killed in a plane crash in 1983.

This article is about the college football coach. For the NFL player, see John Dockery.
Rex Dockery
Rex Dockery, left, during his time at Memphis
Biographical details
Born(1942-02-07)February 7, 1942
Cleveland, Tennessee
DiedDecember 12, 1983(1983-12-12) (aged 41)
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
Playing career
1961–1964Tennessee
Position(s)Tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1966–1967Harriman HS (TN)
1968–1969Morristown East HS (TN)
1970–1971Tennessee (assistant)
1972Georgia Tech (assistant)
1973–1974Vanderbilt (assistant)
1975–1977Texas Tech (OC)
1978–1980Texas Tech
1981–1983Memphis State
Head coaching record
Overall23–40–3 (college)

Early life

Dockery was born on February 7, 1942 in Cleveland, Tennessee.[1] He was a 1960 graduate of Bradley Central High School in Cleveland. In high school, he played several sports and was an all-state guard on the football team. He went on to receive a degree from the University of Tennessee where he played four years of football for the Vols.[2]

Coaching career

Dockery got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at Tennessee. He then coached football at Harriman High School the 1966 and 1967 seasons. The following year, he took the head coaching job at Morristown East High School and led the team to a state championship in 1969.[2]

Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and Vanderbilt

Moving to the college ranks, Dockery became an assistant under Bill Battle at Tennessee. During his time there, he coached Phillip Fulmer and was responsible for recruiting Condredge Holloway. In 1972, Dockery became the offensive line coach at Georgia Tech, where he was reunited with his high school teammate Steve Sloan.[2]

Dockery followed Sloan to Vanderbilt in 1973. When Sloan went on to Texas Tech two years later, Dockery went with him as offensive coordinator.[2]

Texas Tech

When Steve Sloan left Texas Tech for Ole Miss in 1978, Dockery became the team's head coach. He coached at Texas Tech from 1978 to 1980, compiling a 15–16–2 record, and being named the Southwest Conference Coach of the Year in 1978.[2]

Memphis State

Dockery served as the head football coach for the Memphis Tigers from 1981 to 1983. He had an 8–24–1 record at Memphis State (now University of Memphis), starting his tenure with back-to-back 1–10 seasons and going 6–4–1 in his final season.[2]

Death and honors

Dockery was killed in a plane crash on December 12, 1983, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, en route to an appearance before the Quarterback Club there. Also killed in the crash were Memphis State freshman Charles Greenhill, offensive coordinator Chris Faros, and booster Glenn Jones.[2] On December 13, 1984, Dockery's widow Wallene filed a lawsuit against Memphis State University seeking unpaid contractual payments.[3]

In December 1983, the playing surface at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium was named Rex Dockery Field. Dockery's high school also presents The Rex Dockery Award in his memory.[2]

Personal life

Dockery and his wife Wallene had two sons, Trey and Dee.[4][5] Dee Dockery currently serves as a physician at the Campbell Clinic Medical Center in Memphis.[6]

Head coaching record

College
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Texas Tech Red Raiders (Southwest Conference) (1978–1980)
1978 Texas Tech 7–45–34th
1979 Texas Tech 3–6–22–5–17th
1980 Texas Tech 5–63–5T–6th
Texas Tec: 15–16–210–13–1
Memphis State Tigers (NCAA Division I-A Independent) (1981–1983)
1981 Memphis State 1–10
1982 Memphis State 1–10
1983 Memphis State 6–4–1
Memphis State: 8–24–1
Total:23–40–3

References
  1. https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gotigersgo.com/documents/2015/5/27/_m_footbl__1983_Guide_8-17_Coaches.pdf
  2. "The Rex Dockery Award". Bradley Central High School. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  3. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/12/13/The-widow-of-Memphis-State-football-coach-Rex-Dockery/8305471762000/
  4. https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gotigersgo.com/documents/2015/5/27/_m_footbl__1983_Guide_8-17_Coaches.pdf
  5. http://www.gotigersgo.com/news/2013/10/24/The_Late_Rex_Dockery_to_be_Honored_with_Liberty_Bowl_Field_Rededication.aspx
  6. http://www.campbellclinic.com/physician/j-dockery-dee/
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.