Temple University Athletics
WILLIE SLATER NAMED TEMPLE WIDE RECEIVERS COACH
4.3.04 | Football
"Willie Slater has a proven record of performance," said Wallace. "He is a well respected individual that consistently gets the most out of his student-athletes. We had a very productive relationship when we worked together at North Alabama. I look forward to that relationship continuing here at Temple."
Slater, 48, joins the Temple staff after having served as the offensive coordinator at Jacksonville State under Jack Crowe for the past four seasons, from 2000 to 2003. JSU won the Ohio Valley Conference title with a 7-1 (8-4 overall) record last season. Prior to his stay with the Gamecocks, he worked as offensive coordinator at North Alabama for eight years (1992-1999), including six seasons under Wallace (1992-1997). During his stay in Florence, Ala., the Lions qualified for the NCAA playoffs five times and won three consecutive national championships from 1993-95. Slater was named the Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year in each of UNA's title seasons. In 1993, North Alabama had the country's top rushing offense, gaining 317.5 yards per contest.
Slater's first full-time postition at the collegiate level was at Troy State, where he served as running backs coach under Chan Gailey from 1983-84. In total, he spent eight seasons with Trojans, also working as quarterbacks & running backs coach under Rick Rhoades (1985-87) and offensive coordinator under Robert Maddox (1988-90). Troy State went to the playoffs three times during his tenure and won NCAA national championships in 1984 and 1987. Slater was cited as the Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year in both of the team's title campaigns.
Slater began his coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater, West Alabama, in 1978 and earned a bachelor of science degree in business education at the university in 1979. He also coached at the high school level, first at Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer, Ala. (1980) before moving to T.R. Miller High School in Brewton, Ala. (1981-82).
Slater was a four-year starter at quarterback at West Alabama, then called Livingston College, from 1974-77 and helped the Tigers to a third place finish in the 1975 NCAA Division II playoffs. He still ranks sixth in career rushing at the school with 1,582 yards and 20 touchdowns and is ninth in career total offense with 2,081 yards. His 90-yard run against Troy State in 1975 still stands as the longest run from scrimmage.
Slater is a 1974 graduate of Coffeeville (Ala.) High School, where he was a prep All-America quarterback and the Class IA State Most Valuable Player.
Slater is married with three children.
