Rick Burgess discusses new book focused on his father

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Author and radio host Rick Burgess joined CBS 42 Morning News to discuss his new book centered on the lessons passed down from his father.

The book, titled ‘Men Don’t Run in the Rain,’ highlights the life of Bill Burgess, who coached the Jacksonville State University football team for 12 years.

A Birmingham native, Bill Burgess played a single season at Auburn University as a fullback in 1962. His coaching career started in 1966, when Burgess became head coach at Woodlawn High School. He coached at Oxford High School from 1971 until he left for the JSU job in 1985.

Burgess led the Gamecocks to the NCAA Division Two National Championship in 1992.

In 2010, JSU renamed its football stadium as the Burgess-Snow Field in honor of Burgess. He is also a member of the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame, the JSU Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Gulf South Conference Hall of Fame. He died in 2023.

Learn more about the new book in the interview above.