William “Buck” Godfrey, the coach who built Southwest DeKalb High School into one of Georgia’s most respected football programs, died Saturday, Aug. 1, at age 83.
Godfrey led the Southwest DeKalb Panthers from 1983 to 2012, compiling 273 wins, the most in DeKalb County Schools history and the most by any Black coach in Georgia history.
His teams reached the playoffs 27 times, claimed 13 region titles, and won the 1995 Class AAAA state championship, defeating Parkview 14 to 7 behind quarterback Quincy Carter, who went on to play in the NFL.
Before arriving at Southwest DeKalb, Godfrey played two sports at Delaware State and coached swimming in the DeKalb County School District. Once he took over the football program, his influence extended well beyond the scoreboard.
According to Georgia Public Broadcasting, more than 300 of his players earned college scholarships during his tenure, a number that actually outpaced his win total.
A Mentor, Author, and Family Man
Colleagues and former players remembered Godfrey as far more than a coach. Damien Wimes, who played for Godfrey and later served on his coaching staff before becoming head coach himself, described him as a renaissance man who studied at Columbia University, taught English, and wrote five books spanning autobiography, poetry, and short fiction.
Godfrey earned degrees from Columbia and NYU, along with a master’s in English from what is now Clark Atlanta University. He was inducted into four halls of fame, including the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2023, the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014, and the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
In 2015, DeKalb County renamed Panthersville Stadium as Buck Godfrey Stadium in his honor. His daughter, actress and media personality Rashan Ali, joined many others in the community sharing tributes online following news of his death.
DeKalb County Schools Interim Superintendent Norman C. Sauce III released a statement Monday honoring Godfrey’s legacy, calling him an educator and role model whose commitment to shaping young people of character reached far beyond wins and championships.
Those who knew Godfrey often noted his old school demeanor drew comparisons to legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson, about whom Godfrey later wrote a book.
Friends say his disciplined approach left a lasting impression on generations of athletes, many of whom credit him with teaching lessons that shaped their lives long after they left the football field.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
