Bill Text: VA HJR898 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Jimmye Laycock.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-23 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ898ER) [HJR898 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-HJR898-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, in 2018, Jimmye Laycock retired as head coach of The College of William & Mary football team after 39 seasons of record-setting success and exceptional leadership both on and off the field; and
WHEREAS, a Virginia native, Jimmye Laycock was a 12-letter multisport athlete in high school and graduated from The College of William & Mary, where he played on the football team, starting in the secondary in his sophomore year before later switching to quarterback; and
WHEREAS, Jimmye Laycock began his full-time coaching career at The Citadel, then went on to become quarterbacks coach at Memphis State University and offensive coordinator of Clemson University, before returning to his alma mater in 1979 as The College of William & Mary's 29th head football coach; and
WHEREAS, in 1983, Jimmye Laycock led the William & Mary Tribe to its first winning season since 1977, and three years later the team made its first appearance in what is now the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs; and
WHEREAS, in 1988, Jimmye Laycock became the winningest coach in the university's history; in 1990, the team won its first playoff game; in 2004, the team set another record for most wins in a season, finishing with an 11 - 3 record; and
WHEREAS, Jimmye Laycock's teams ultimately won five conference titles, made 10 FCS playoff appearances, including two semifinal appearances, and finished a season as a nationally ranked team 13 times over the course of 24 winning seasons; and
WHEREAS, Jimmye Laycock's imaginative offensive schemes and ability to adapt to not only changes in the game, but to the strengths and weaknesses of each season's players resulted in a team that year after year was entertaining to watch and always competitive, often surprising opponents who had far more resources; and
WHEREAS, Jimmye Laycock finished with an impressive 249 - 194 - 2 record, becoming one of the few FCS coaches to achieve 200 wins; at the time of his retirement, no other coach in Virginia had led his team to as many victories over so long a time period, no other active coach in the nation had as many Division I wins, no other coach had led his alma mater for as long, and his uninterrupted tenure as coach of a Division I program ranked third of all-time; and
WHEREAS, under Jimmye Laycock's leadership, the Tribe football team has achieved success in the classroom as well as on the field; in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's 2016 - 2017 Academic Progress Report, Tribe football earned a perfect score of 1,000, an especially impressive feat given the institution's rigorous academic standards; and
WHEREAS, during the 2017 National Football League (NFL) season, there were seven players on active rosters and three head coaches in the league who had played or coached under Jimmye Laycock, and at least 40 former players have signed contracts in the NFL; and
WHEREAS, throughout his historic tenure, Jimmye Laycock served The College of William & Mary with the utmost integrity, dedication, and distinction, inspiring generations of student-athletes and upholding the institution's proud traditions of excellence; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Jimmye Laycock on the occasion of his retirement as head coach of The College of William & Mary football team; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jimmye Laycock as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for his exceptional legacy of leadership to the students of The College of William & Mary and contributions to the Williamsburg community.
