Warner Alford, former Ole Miss football player, coach, athletic director, dies at 88
Former Ole Miss football player, coach and Ole Miss athletics director Warner Alford Jr. died March 27.
OXFORD — Warner Alford Jr. , who made big contributions to Ole Miss athletics throughout his life, died March 27. Alford was 88.
Ole Miss announced the news in a press release. He devoted a large portion of his life to Ole Miss. He is survived by three children.
His wife, Kay, died in February 2025 after almost 64 years of marriage. Alford played football at Ole Miss as a guard and was a permanent co-captain of the 1960 Rebels team that defeated Rice in the Sugar Bowl and was named national champions by the Football Writers Association of America. Alford was coached by John Vaught.
Alford graduated from Ole Miss in 1961 and returned to football as an assistant coach in 1965 as the defensive coordinator of Davidson. He became the Ole Miss defensive line coach in 1971 and coached in that role for three seasons. In 1974, Alford moved to an administrative role at Ole Miss as the assistant director of athletics and director of rebel recruiting.