IRVING, Texas (Dec. 26, 2025) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame remembered today those who passed away in 2025 and played a role in improving the game of college football for future generations.

"Each name we remember represents a lasting imprint on college football, and we are grateful for their leadership, service, character, and a deep appreciation for the game," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "While we mourn their passing, we also celebrate the legacy they leave behind and the countless lives they influenced. We will work hard to ensure that their contributions are not forgotten."
 
Click here to view a special "In Memoriam" video that was shown earlier this month during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas that honors those who passed from Dec. 3, 2024 – Dec. 2, 2025. (Those who passed away since the dinner will be included in next year's video tribute.)

Ron Abdow*
1997 NFF Outstanding Official Award Recipient
1991 NFF Chapter Leadership Award Recipient
NFF Western Massachusetts Chapter
Dec. 1, 1931 – Jan. 22, 2025
 
Ken Ancell*
1963 NFF National Scholar-Athlete
Colorado School of Mines
Oct. 10, 1942 – Jan. 5, 2025

John Beam
Head Coach
Laney College (CA)
1959 – Nov. 14, 2025
 
Mike Bilbow
Executive, Producer
Chick fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
University of Georgia
Nov. 22, 1968 – Apr. 6, 2025

Jimmy Carter
39th President of the United States
Sprint Football Player
U.S. Naval Academy
Oct. 1, 1924 – Dec. 29, 2024
 
Shawn Clark
Head Coach
Appalachian State
Aug. 16, 1975 – Sept. 21, 2025

Mike DeBord
Head Coach
Central Michigan
Feb. 7, 1956 – Apr. 15, 2025

Cedric Dempsey
NCAA President
Athletics Director
San Diego State, Houston, Arizona, Pacific (CA)
Apr. 14, 1932 – Apr. 5, 2025
 
Gene Duffey
Journalist
Houston Post, Huntsville Times (AL), Times-Union (NY)
Oct. 24, 1946 – Jan. 31, 2025
 
Kenny Easley*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 1991
Jan. 15, 1959 – Nov. 14, 2025

John Feinstein
Author, commentator, sportswriter
July 28, 1955 – Mar. 13, 2025

Joe Fusco*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2001
Westminster (PA)
Feb. 3, 1938 – Feb. 22, 2025
 
Dave Gallagher*
1973 NFF National Scholar-Athlete
Michigan
Jan. 2, 1952 – Jan. 2, 2025
 
Bobby Gaston*
1995 NFF Outstanding Football Official Award Recipient
Southeastern Conference
Oct. 18, 1923 – June 5, 2025

Bob Hammel
Bloomington (IN) Herald-Times
1996 FWAA Bert McGrane Award
Oct. 6, 1936- July 20, 2025

Jack Hoffman 
Pediatric Brain Cancer Patient
Sept. 26, 2005 – Jan. 15, 2025
 
John Huard*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014
Maine
Mar. 9, 1944 – Jan. 29, 2025

Tom Jackson
Head Coach
Connecticut
July 8, 1948 – Jan. 30, 2025
 
Jim Jarrett
Athletics Director
Old Dominion
July 14, 1937 – Nov. 13, 2025
 
Dick Jauron*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2015
1972 NFF National Scholar-Athlete
Yale
Oct. 7, 1950 – Feb. 8, 2025
 
Lee Roy Jordan*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 1983
Alabama
Apr. 27, 1941 – Aug. 30, 2025
 
Steve Kiner*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 1999
Tennessee
June 12, 1947 – Apr. 24, 2025

Roy F. Kramer
Southeastern Conference Commissioner
1998 NFF Distinguished American Award
2023 NFF College Football Hall of Fame (Central Michigan)
Vanderbilt Director of Athletics
Oct. 30, 1929 – Dec. 4, 2025
 
Alex Kroll*
NFF Trustee
1997 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Inductee
1961 NFF National Scholar-Athlete
Rutgers
Nov. 23, 1937 – Dec. 17, 2024
 
D.D. Lewis*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2001
Mississippi State
Oct. 16, 1945 – Sept. 16, 2025
 
Woodrow Lowe*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009
Alabama
June 9, 1954 – November 6, 2025
 
Bill McCartney*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013
Colorado
Aug. 22, 1940 – Jan. 10, 2025
 
Steve McMichael*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009
Texas
Oct. 17, 1957 – Apr. 23, 2025
 
Steve Miller
Athletics Director
Kansas State
Sept. 9, 1943 – June 15, 2025
 
Donn Moomaw*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 1973
UCLA
Oct. 15, 1931 – Feb. 10, 2025
 
Mike Patrick
Broadcaster
ESPN
Sept. 9, 1944 – Apr. 20, 2025
 
Rossi Ralenkotter
Founder
Las Vegas Bowl
Apr. 4, 1947 – Oct. 10, 2025
 
Bill Riddle III*
2000 NFF Chapter Leadership Award Recipient
NFF Valley of the Sun (AZ) Chapter
Jan. 21, 1942 – June 26, 2025

Phil Roberston
Actor, Duck Dynasty
Louisiana Tech Quarterback (1965-67)
Apr. 24, 1946 – May 25, 2025

Kathy Saunders
Chairwoman
Cotton Bowl Athletic Association
1951 – Mar. 26, 2025
 
Ed Schluntz
2011 NFF Chapter Leadership Award Recipient
Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter
May 28, 1926 - Nov. 28, 2025
 
Kenneth Sims*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021
Texas
Oct. 31, 1959 – Mar. 21, 2025
 
Chuck Sullivan
Assistant Commissioner
American Conference 
July 10, 1971 - Nov. 15, 2025
 
Paul Tagliabue
Commissioner
National Football League
Nov. 24, 1940 – Nov. 9, 2025

Bill Tate
Head Coach
Wake Forest
Sept. 9, 1931 – June 23, 2025

Bill Tate
Head Coach
Wake Forest
Sept. 9, 1931 – June 23, 2025
 
Howard Twilley*
NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 1992
Tulsa
Dec. 25, 1943 – Feb. 5, 2025

Maz Urick
Athletics Director
Iowa State, Kansas State
Jan. 30, 1939  -  Nov. 21, 2025
 
Johnny Williams
Athletics Director, Troy
Executive Director, Camellia Bowl
1956 – Feb. 4, 2025
 
Larry Williams
Athletics Director
Portland, Marquette, Akron, San Francisco
July 3, 1963 – Oct. 16, 2025
 
Pete Williams*
1990 NFF Outstanding Football Official Award Recipient
Southeastern Conference
Jan. 7, 1927 – July 4, 2025
 
John Wolfgram
President
NFF Howie Vandersea State of Maine Chapter
Apr. 23, 1948 – Aug. 5, 2025
 
Mark Womack
Executive Associate Commissioner
Southeastern Conference
Jan. 12, 1955 – Oct. 6, 2025

* Asterisk denotes a NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee or NFF award recipient