M Club Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1985
Alex Williams came to the University of Memphis, then Memphis State College, in the fall of 1949 and became a part of one of the most prolific scoring machines in the country for two years. The bug fullback became a starter prior to the season opener against Ole Miss and tallied his first Tiger touchdown in the team’s lone loss of the season. He scored in the team’s record setting win over Tampa and added two scores in each the Pensacola Navy and Louisiana College games. His six-yard touchdown run against Kansas State helped the Tigers to their first win ever against a major opponent. The Tigers outscored their opponents 385 to 87 in 1949 and finished the season ranked second in the nation in scoring. For his play, Williams was named the team’s MVP in 1949. His 11 rushing touchdowns still rank as a tie for the fifth highest single total in Memphis history. In 1958 he was also selected to the Tigers’ All-Time Team in 1958 which was picked by coaches Hatley, Muprhy, Zach Curlin and Cecil C. Humphreys. Following graduation Williams became one of the most successful high school coaches in the state of Tennessee. His South Pittsburg team posted a three year overall record of 27-1-2. He left to take over as head coach at Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett in 1954 and was an impressive 25-2-2 when he left in 1957 to become an assistant coach at Southwestern Louisiana. He joined the staff of 3M Company in 1959 and was highly successful in business prior to his death in 1981.
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