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Mike Campbell

1922 – 1998

American football player and coach

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About Mike Campbell

Lived 1922 – 1998 (aged 76). Mike Campbell was an American american football player.

William Mike Campbell (May 9, 1922 – June 16, 1998) was an American football player and coach. He was a long-time assistant of Darrell Royal, first at Mississippi State, then Washington, and mostly Texas.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Campbell played college football at the University of Mississippi and was drafted in the 32nd round of the 1946 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins, but chose not to play professional football. He began coaching soon after his playing career, becoming highly successful in the Mississippi High School ranks at Gulf Coast Military Academy, Canton, and Vicksburg.

He was hired by then-Mississippi State coach Royal in 1955, and went with him to Washington, and later Texas. In 1967, he was placed in charge of the Longhorn defense, and in 1974 was named assistant head coach.

After Royal's retirement in 1976, Fred Akers, then head coach at Wyoming, was chosen over Campbell as Royal's successor, a decision that was a source of controversy among Texas fans. Campbell retired from coaching afterwards.

Campbell's twin sons, Mike Jr. and Tom, were defensive starters on Texas' 1969 national championship team. Tom's interception with just over one minute remaining in the Longhorns' regular season finale vs. No. 2 Arkansas sealed Texas' 15–14 victory and the UPI coaches' poll championship.

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Important facts

Born
Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Mississippi
Also known as
William Mike Campbell

People in Mike Campbell's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Mike Campbell's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Mike Campbell?

American football player and coach (1922-1998)

When was Mike Campbell born?

Mike Campbell was born on 9 May 1922.

When did Mike Campbell die?

Mike Campbell died on 16 June 1998.

What was Mike Campbell's occupation?

Mike Campbell was an american football player.

What nationality was Mike Campbell?

Mike Campbell was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Mike Campbell

· Wikidata: Q6846232

· DBpedia: Mike Campbell (American football, born 1922)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mike Campbell. https://biography.guide/mike-campbell/

MLA: "Mike Campbell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mike-campbell/.

Chicago: "Mike Campbell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mike-campbell/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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