MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Former Alabama State head football coach Houston Markham, Jr. passed away Wednesday morning with loved ones by his sideMontgomery Advertiser photo

Markham, the winningest head coach in Hornets’ football history, leaves behind a legacy unmatched at Alabama State. He coached at the institution from 1987 until 1997, leaving the school with 68 victories which still stands as the highest total among any coach in school history.

His best season at the helm of the Hornets came in 1991 when the team finished 11-0-1, winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship. The only blemish on the record for the Hornets that season came against Texas Southern when the two teams tied at 14-all, as the Hornets raced to the HBCU National Championship with a 36-13 victory over North Carolina A&T in the Alamo Heritage Bowl.

Markham, who finished with a career record of 68-47-4 (.588), also had four players drafted in the National Football League (NFL) draft during his tenure.

Because of his accomplishments as a head coach, the building that houses the Hornets football program bears his name.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.