Aldo Amato, The Dail y News Journal, April 24, 2017
Tennessee State football coach John Merritt, right, talks with Middle Tennessee State University football coach Bill Peck after the luncheon and press conference on the campus of MTSU in Murfreesboro Sept. 6, 1973. The two team will meet on the field Sept. 8th on the campus of Vanderbilt University.
(Photo: Jimmy Ellis / The Tennessean, Jimmy Ellis / The Tennessean)
MURFREESBORO — Former MTSU football coach William Bethule “Bill” Peck died on Saturday, MTSU announced.
Peck, the tenth football coach in program history, died at age 90, the school announced in a news release.
Peck led the Blue Raiders from 1970 to 1974 where he compiled a 27-25-2 record.
A World War II veteran, Peck is known best for bringing on the first African-American quarterback, Melvin Daniels, in program history.
He won the Churchman Hall of Fame Coach of the Year and Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year awards during his career.
A native of Hackensack, New Jersey, Peck coached at several New Jersey high schools before arriving in Murfreesboro.
Peck coached at Eustis, Mount Dora, Leesburg, Tavares, Umatilla and returned to Mount Dora High School before retiring from coaching in 2010 at 83.
Peck survived by his wife of 65 years, Kathy Peck, two sons William D. Peck and Chris R. Peck, brother, Dr. Robert R. Peck, granddaughter Kristen Liddle and two great-grandchildren Thomas Owen Mysinger and Brianna Skye Mysinger.
A private ceremony will be held while a public ceremony will be announced at a later day, according to MTSU officials. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be made to a local high school athletic program.