Kay Stephenson

George Kay Stephenson (born December 17, 1944) is an American former professional football player and coach, whose latter career has seen him work in four different leagues. Stephenson played quarterback for the American Football League's San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills. He finished his playing career in 1974 in the World Football League with the Jacksonville Sharks before entering the coaching ranks.

Early life

Stephenson was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, in 1944, and grew up in nearby Pensacola. He attended Pensacola High School, and he earned All-State accolades as a quarterback. He accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, where he played college football for coach Ray Graves' Florida Gators teams from 1964 to 1966. His arrival on the Florida campus coincided with that of another standout recruit, Steve Spurrier, who became the starting quarterback in 1964, and who won the Heisman Trophy in 1966. Stephenson remained a backup.

Stephenson graduated from Florida with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1967.

Professional football coaching career

After serving as a quarterbacks coach the previous season, Stephenson succeeded Chuck Knox as Buffalo Bills head coach on February 3, 1983. Stephenson was reportedly surprised to get the job, claiming that Bills owner Ralph Wilson "never explained his reasons for selecting me." 2–14 in 1984, and after they lost their first four games in 1985, Stephenson was replaced by Hank Bullough.

Stephenson also coached in the World League where he led the Sacramento Surge to the 1992 World Bowl championship, and in the Canadian Football League he coached the San Antonio Texans and the Edmonton Eskimos.

Head coaching record NFL Team Year Regular season PostseasonWon LostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %ResultBUF19838803rd in AFC East – – – –BUF198421405th in AFC East – – – –BUF19850405th in AFC East – – – –BUF total 10260 – – – NFL total 10260 – – –

WLAF Team Year Regular season PostseasonWon LostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %ResultSAC19913703rd in NA West – – – –SAC19928201st in NA West 2 0 World Bowl II championsSAC total 1190 2 0 WLAF total 1190 2 0

CFL Team Year Regular season PostseasonWon LostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %ResultSAC199361205th in CFL West – – – –SAC19949815th in CFL West – – – –SAC total 15201 – – – SAT199512602nd in CFL South 1 1 Lost to Baltimore Stallions in Division Finals SAT total 1260 1 1 EDM19989902nd in CFL West 1 1 Lost to Calgary Stampeders in Division Finals EDM total 990 1 1 CFL total 36351 2 2