Willie Peete, former running backs coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1992-94 and father of current Bucs' running backs coach Skip Peete, died Dec. 2, 2024, at the age of 87. A celebration of life for Peete is scheduled for Saturday in Mesa, Arizona, his hometown.
Peete had a 15-year NFL coaching career with four organizations including the Kansas City Chiefs (1983-86), Green Bay Packers (1987-1991), Tampa Bay (1992-94) and the Chicago Bears (1995-97). In Tampa Bay, his room of backs included Vince Workman, Mazio Royster and Errict Rhett – the University of Florida's career rushing leader. In 1994, Rhett surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing marker (1,011) as a rookie under Peete's tutelage.
Peete began his coaching career in 1960 at Arizona as a graduate assistant while earning his degree in physical education. After two seasons at Arizona, Peete returned to Mesa, Arizona, and spent the next seven years as an assistant football coach and junior varsity basketball coach. He returned to his alma mater in 1971 as an assistant coach for the next 12 seasons.
Willie Peete was a well-rounded athlete in football, basketball and baseball in high school. He produced a standout four-year career at Arizona as a bruising fullback. He graduated with a degree in physical education from Arizona and received a master's degree in secondary education from Arizona State.
Skip Peete, Willie's son, is in his 27th season as an NFL assistant coach and is presently the running backs coach in Tampa Bay. Skip will be attending the service and will return to the sideline in his father's footsteps with a headset for the Buccaneers' Week 15 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers.
