William Wilfred Cobey (March 12, 1908 – April 20, 1998) was an American university administrator. He served as the athletic director at the University of Maryland from 1956 to 1969.
A native of Quincy, Florida, Cobey attended the University of Maryland where he played on the freshman lacrosse team. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. Cobey graduated with an A.B. from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1930. [1] The University of Maryland appointed Cobey, former graduate manager, as athletic director in 1956 in replacement of Jim Tatum. [2] In 1965, he fired Tom Nugent as football coach upon the conclusion of his five-year contract with a disappointing 4–6 season. [3] He presided over the hiring of baseball coach Elton "Jack" Jackson in 1960, [4] and football coaches Lou Saban in 1966, [5] and Bob Ward in 1967. [6] He retired as athletic director on June 30, 1968. [7] Cobey was succeeded by Maryland track coach Jim Kehoe. [8]
Cobey died on April 20, 1998, at his home in University Park, Maryland, at the age of 90. [9] He was inducted into the University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984. [10] His son, William W. Cobey, Jr., served as athletic director at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a North Carolina Representative in the United States Congress from 1985 to 1987. [11] [12]
William Wilfred Cobey (March 12, 1908 – April 20, 1998) was an American university administrator. He served as the athletic director at the University of Maryland from 1956 to 1969.
A native of Quincy, Florida, Cobey attended the University of Maryland where he played on the freshman lacrosse team. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. Cobey graduated with an A.B. from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1930. [1] The University of Maryland appointed Cobey, former graduate manager, as athletic director in 1956 in replacement of Jim Tatum. [2] In 1965, he fired Tom Nugent as football coach upon the conclusion of his five-year contract with a disappointing 4–6 season. [3] He presided over the hiring of baseball coach Elton "Jack" Jackson in 1960, [4] and football coaches Lou Saban in 1966, [5] and Bob Ward in 1967. [6] He retired as athletic director on June 30, 1968. [7] Cobey was succeeded by Maryland track coach Jim Kehoe. [8]
Cobey died on April 20, 1998, at his home in University Park, Maryland, at the age of 90. [9] He was inducted into the University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984. [10] His son, William W. Cobey, Jr., served as athletic director at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a North Carolina Representative in the United States Congress from 1985 to 1987. [11] [12]