Bill Smith named to 2012 Class of Gridiron Legends

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Bill Smith, the former head football coach at Aldine High School, was selected as a member of the 2012 Class of Gridiron Legends by the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas.

The announcement was made at halftime during the Houston Texans pre-season game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Aug. 18, at Reliant Stadium.

Smith is a part of a class that includes former University of Texas head football coach Darrell Royal, former SMU, North Texas and Iowa head football coach Hayden Fry and 1990 Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer of BYU.

Smith served as the Mustangs’ head football coach for 29 years and led Aldine High to 237 victories (at the time of his retirement in December of 2003, Smith had the fifth most victories all-time among Class 5A coaches in Texas). He also led the Mustangs to the Class 5A state and national titles in 1990 and a perfect 15-0 season. Smith also led the Mustangs to the state semi-finals in 1991 and 1996.

In 2004, Aldine ISD Trustees renamed the stadium at Aldine High School in honor of coach Smith for his service to the school and the Aldine community.

“Each year, it seems like there is no way to top the previous class of Gridiron Legends, but this year’s group has raised the bar once again,” said Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas executive director Heather Houston. “Coach Royal is without question one of the greatest icons in all of Texas football, and coach Fry is one of the all-time greats in his own right. When you add a Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most successful high school coaches in Texas history, this year’s Gridiron Legends class is a truly special one.”

Smith and his fellow class members will be inducted during the 2012 Meineke Car Care Bowl, set for Friday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. at Reliant Stadium. The game will match a team from the Big 12 against a Big 10 opponent and will be nationally televised on ESPN.