Rex Dockery

[CoachT]

I rarely think of Memphis without remembering Dec. 12, 1983 -- when Rex Dockery, Memphis State football coach, with offensive coordinator Chris Faros and defensive back Charles Greenhill, were killed in a plane crash en route to the Lawrenceburg Quarterback Club banquet.

 

One of the worst memories I have is when a friend of Coach Dockery called from Memphis and I answered the phone in the office at the high school. The friend asked if Coach Dockery was there. I could tell that he knew. All the authorities would allow me to say was that Coach Dockery had not arrived and that a small plane had reportedly gone down about 10 miles north of town. My final words were that if you are a close friend of the family I recommend you go to his home, and family, immediately. It's hard to believe that was almost 19 years ago.

 

Charles Greenhill was a fine young man who was returning to present the Player-of-the-Year award to his predecessor, he having won it in 1982. That award is now named after Charles Greenhill and the Coaches Award is named after Coach Dockery.

[Edited by coacht on 8-11-02 11:56A]

 

[TheEgoHasLanded]

There is no doubt that Dockery was changing the face of Tiger football...there was definitely a positive feeling surrounding the team and city itself with Coach Dockery...

 

I have heard at least two radio broadcasters say that Tommy West will become the best football coach at the university of Memphis. I think they are right to, West has already opened up the offense to make it more fun to watch, and has gotten players like Willie Henderson, John Doucette, and DeAngelo Williams.

 

That being said, Scherer did get Kenton Evans and Damien Dodson, who had set national high school records at Westwood.