Jacksonville State University Athletics

Don Salls, who compiled the most wins in JSU history (95-57-11), won three bowl games and seven conference titles during his successful 19-year career at Jacksonville State. Salls was named head coach in 1946 and retired in 1964. The former University of Alabama fullback led his troops to a perfect 9-0-0 record in 1947 and lost only one game by one point in ‘48. The ‘47 team led the nation in rushing defense, allowing only 494 yards for the season, a Gamecock record still on the books some 40 years later. The 1955 team finished 10-1-0 and won the Refrigerator Bowl in Evansville, Indiana, defeating a powerful Rhode Island team. That club shut out its first six opponents. In addition to the Refrigerator Bowl win, Salls’ teams played in three Paper Bowl games in Pensacola, Florida, winning twice. Coach Salls produced 9 Little All-America players. Jacksonville State named the athletic dormitory “Salls Hall” in 1966.