Amanda Knapp
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was established in 1959 and has since honoured many international and American professionals, as well as amateurs. The Hall has had three different locations, with the latest being a $47 million facility designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates. The building features a basketball-shaped sphere and includes a full-sized basketball court, game gallery, interactive exhibits, and an honour ring of inductees. The Class of 2025 inductees included Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time All-Star and three-time Olympic gold medalist, as well as the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team, dubbed the Redeem Team.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Will Hall |
| Date of Birth | May 10, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Amory, Mississippi |
| Alma Mater | University of North Alabama |
| Playing Position | Quarterback |
| Coaching Career | 2004 - Present |
| Current Position | Pass Game Coordinator, Tulane University |
| Previous Positions | Head Coach, University of Southern Mississippi (2021-2024) Offensive Coordinator, University of Louisiana at Lafayette (2017) Head Coach, University of West Georgia (2014-2016) Head Coach, University of West Alabama (2011-2013) |
| Awards | Harlon Hill Trophy (2003) |
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What You'll Learn
Will Hall's career in American football
Will Hall is a former American football player and current coach. Born in Amory, Mississippi, Hall excelled at football from a young age, leading the 1998 Amory Panthers squad to the MHSAA Class 3A State Championship while playing for his father, Bobby Hall. After high school, he attended Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he continued to impress, earning NJCAA Football All-American honours in both the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
In 2000, Hall set a new NJCAA record for total offence in a single season, racking up 4,075 total yards. He also set a record for touchdown passes in a single game, throwing nine in a victory over East Mississippi Community College. Hall's stellar play at Northwest Mississippi earned him a move to the University of North Alabama, where he played quarterback for the Lions from 2002 to 2003. In his final season, he led the Lions to a 13-1 record and the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Hall's individual performance was equally impressive, as he completed 71.8% of his passes for 3,531 yards and 30 touchdowns, while also rushing for 467 yards and five touchdowns. This outstanding season saw him win the Harlon Hill Trophy as the top player in NCAA Division II football.
After a brief playing stint with the Tupelo FireAnts of the National Indoor Football League in 2004, Hall transitioned into coaching, taking up a role as the quarterbacks coach at Presbyterian College. Over the next few years, he honed his coaching craft at various colleges, including Henderson State University, Southwest Baptist University, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello. In December 2007, Hall was hired as the offensive coordinator at the University of West Alabama, where he oversaw significant improvements in the team's offensive performance. His efforts were rewarded with a promotion to head coach in 2011, and he promptly led the Tigers to a successful season, including an 8-3 regular-season record.
Hall continued his coaching success at West Alabama, guiding the team to consecutive winning seasons and the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2012. The following year, he added another Gulf South Conference championship to his resume. In 2014, he took up the head coach position at the University of West Georgia, leading them to the Division II championship semifinals in his first season. After a successful stint at West Georgia, Hall moved on to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as offensive coordinator in 2017. He then served as the head coach at the University of Southern Mississippi from 2021 to 2024. As of 2025, Hall is the pass game coordinator for Tulane University, marking his second season with the team.
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The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame is named after James Naismith, the Canadian-American physician who invented basketball in Springfield. It serves as a comprehensive library of basketball history and an institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the sport's history. As of 2024, the Hall has formally inducted 436 players, coaches, referees, and other basketball professionals. The Boston Celtics have the most inductees, with 40.
The selection process for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has been a topic of discussion. Mark Purdy, a sportswriter and selection committee member, notes that the Basketball Hall of Fame's selection criteria are more inclusive than those of the Baseball Hall of Fame. John Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, defends this approach by highlighting that basketball was invented to be inclusive of men, women, and people of all ages and skill levels.
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The architecture of the Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is located at 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts, beside the Connecticut River. The Hall of Fame was established in 1959 without a physical location and inducted its first class that year. However, it wasn't until almost a decade later, in 1968, that the first facility was opened to the public.
The original Basketball Hall of Fame building, which operated at Springfield College, drew over 630,000 visitors during its 17 years of operation. The popularity of the Hall, coupled with the sport's increasing popularity, necessitated a new facility. In 1985, a new $11.5 million building was opened to the public, designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates. The building featured a basketball-shaped sphere flanked by two symmetrical rhombuses, all in metallic silver. The dome is illuminated at night, and the building spans 80,000 square feet.
The Basketball Hall of Fame moved again in 2002, just 100 yards south along Springfield's riverfront, into a $47 million facility, also designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates. The building retained its unique, modern architecture, with its iconic silver sphere adorning the Springfield skyline and igniting the enthusiasm of basketball enthusiasts worldwide.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is more than just a museum; it is a tribute to the rich history and diverse community of the sport. The Hall of Fame honours individuals from all backgrounds, including men and women, professionals and amateurs, and those who have contributed to the game both domestically and internationally.
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Will Hall's coaching career
Will Hall is an American college football coach. He is currently the pass game coordinator for Tulane University, a position he has held since 2025. Hall started his coaching career as the quarterbacks coach at Presbyterian College in 2004. He then moved to Henderson State University for the spring 2005 semester, followed by Southwest Baptist University for the fall 2005 and 2006 semesters. In 2007, he joined the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
In December 2007, Hall was hired as the offensive coordinator at the University of West Alabama. Under his leadership, the Tigers' offense improved significantly, and by 2010, they led the Gulf South Conference in pass efficiency with a 155.8 rating. During his tenure, West Alabama achieved consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1991–92 and advanced to the NCAA second round of the 2009 Division II playoffs. On November 17, 2010, Hall was promoted to head coach, effective January 1, 2011, replacing the retiring Bobby Wallace. In his first season as head coach, Hall led the Tigers to an 8–3 regular season but lost in the first round of the 2011 Division II playoffs.
Hall served as the head coach of the Tigers from 2011 to 2013, compiling a record of 25–11 and winning two Gulf South Conference (GSC) championships. In 2013, he led his team to back-to-back GSC conference championships. On November 22, 2013, he was introduced as the new head coach for the West Georgia Wolves. As the head coach of the Wolves from 2014 to 2016, he achieved a record of 31–9 and won a share of the GSC championship in 2015.
On January 18, 2017, Hall accepted the position of offensive coordinator for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, reuniting with his former head coach Mark Hudspeth from his time as a quarterback at North Alabama. On December 2, 2020, Hall was named the head coach of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. However, on October 20, 2024, he was fired after a challenging 1-6 start to the season and a 14-30 overall record during his tenure.
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Will Hall's high school and college career
Will Hall is a native of Amory, Mississippi, and attended Amory High School, where he played for his father, Bobby Hall. In 1998, he led the Amory Panthers to the MHSAA Class 3A State Championship. After graduating from high school, Hall went on to attend Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he played quarterback for the Rangers in the 1999 and 2000 seasons. During his time at Northwest, he excelled and was named NJCAA Football All-American in both seasons. He also set records for total offense and touchdown passes in a single season.
Following his successful stint at Northwest Mississippi, Hall continued his football career at the University of North Alabama. He played quarterback for the Lions during the 2002 and 2003 seasons, leading the team to a 13-1 record and the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs. His outstanding performance earned him the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2003 as the top player in NCAA Division II football. After college, Hall signed with the Tupelo FireAnts of the National Indoor Football League for the 2004 season, playing under his father once again.
Hall's coaching career began in 2004 as the quarterbacks coach at Presbyterian College. He then took on assistant coaching roles at various institutions, including Henderson State, Southwest Baptist, Arkansas-Monticello, and West Alabama. In 2010, he was promoted to the position of head football coach at the University of West Alabama, where he led the team to consecutive winning seasons and the NCAA second round of the 2009 Division II playoffs. His impressive performance earned him the title of 2011 Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year.
Hall continued to make strides in his coaching career, becoming the head coach at the University of West Georgia in 2014. During his time with the Wolves, he led them to the Division II championship semifinals and an overall record of 31 wins and nine losses. After his successful tenure at West Georgia, he moved on to other coaching positions, including offensive coordinator roles and, most recently, serving as the pass game coordinator and offensive coordinator for Tulane University.
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