CIAA Hall of Fame Members
Joe Gilliam played on the Indiana University football team that was the Hooiser's national championship squad. He then went into the Armed Services. Upon returning to civilian life, he re-entered the collegiate ranks as a West Virginia State College basketball and football player. Gilliam received All-American honors as a quarterback and earned a place in the Yellow Jackets' Sports Hall of Fame. From 1963-1981, Gilliam was the assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator for Tennessee State University. During this period, TSU had nine Black National Championship teams. In 1989, he took the helm as head coach for four seasons. During this time he was inducted into the TSU Sports Hall of Fame, and was selected as Coach of the Year in the Ohio Valley Conference in 1990. His career record of 254-93-15 included coaching five undefeated teams and five other teams that lost only one game.