In Memoriam: Coach Bill McCartney, Promise Keepers Founder

Last updated on: January 16, 2025 at 2:34 pm by Shawn Paul Wood

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In Memoriam: Coach Bill McCartney, Promise Keepers Founder 2025-01-16T14:34:53-06:00 Shawn Paul Wood

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If you follow college football, many pundits extol the potential and play of the University of Colorado. This is partly because of the passionate coaching of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. However, among the snow-capped mountains is a legendary name whose shadow Deion is in: Coach Bill McCartney.

In 1990, he led the Buffaloes to their only national championship in NCAA football. It was a magical season that capped his legacy at the 135-year-old institution but not his own. Coach McCartney stood for something other than the pigskin on Sundays. He was proud to be a Christ-follower. As a 12-year coach, Bill McCartney poured God’s grace into his players. Once he hoisted the NCAA championship at the Orange Bowl, he believed God called him to champion another cause**—**the Word of God for men worldwide.

Although he grew up Catholic, where few encourage evangelism, nothing could hold him back following his adult acceptance of Jesus. He used the prestige and notoriety of college football in a national outreach for men called Promise Keepers. What began as a men’s fellowship became a force most men in the 1990s couldn’t refuse. The coliseums that used to feature sports were now teeming with men hungry for God and encouraged to commit to the “Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper.”

When Promise Keepers came to town with “Coach Mac,” men would leave in tears, repentant, obedient, and more focused than ever to be a good father, husband, and child of God. They would hear motivational sermons from the NFL, such as Tony Dungy, Chad Hennings, Christian Okoye, Earl Campbell, and Kurt Warner. Distinguished names from the pulpit, such as Tony Evans, James Dobson, Steve Farrar, Randy Phillips, Howard Hendricks, and Chuck Swindoll, joined them.

Yet, God wanted more, and so did Coach.

Bill McCartney: Stand in the Gap

It’s not unique for thousands of energized and unified people to “march on Washington.” Since Dr. Martin Luther King took his triumphant steps on the Lincoln Memorial, many movements for various communities have gathered in hopes the nation’s leaders will pay attention. In 1997, Promise Keepers was at its summit, but there was still room above to reach for God.

“Stand in the Gap” hosted approximately 1.4 million Christian men to pray for this nation together. The idea is to reach across generational, racial, social, and denominational fences and stand as one Body of Christ. It was a masterstroke that required the Master’s Touch. Lives were changed, and a clarion call was received. As the men left the National Mall, one note of gratitude famously came from the National Park Service. Evidently, every man did their part to pick up trash, even if it wasn’t theirs. Several news reports said that D.C. was cleaner after Promise Keepers left it. (I remember. I was there.)

From the stage to the hearts, it was always about integrity.

From 1991, he welcomed 4,200 men on his former college campus to over 50 stadium events, leaving an indelible mark for God that was never erased. Upon word that Coach Mac had passed following his struggle with dementia, Promise Keepers, which was reorganized and relaunched following the Coronavirus after he stepped down in 2003 to care for his wife, released this.

Coach Mac touched countless lives with his unwavering faith, boundless compassion, and enduring legacy as a leader, mentor, and advocate for family, community, and faith. As a trailblazer and visionary, his impact was felt both on and off the field, and his spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those he inspired. Remembering the legacy of McCartney, PK will continue to reach all generations with God’s call to live worthy of the blood of Jesus Christ…While Coach McCartney has gone on to glory, there are still many men who need to know the love of Jesus Christ, and that is what we aim to do at Promise Keepers.

Inducted into the NCAA Hall of Fame in 1993, Bill McCartney received his “Crowning” achievement going on to glory. And, on behalf of countless and nameless millions of fathers, sons, husbands, brothers–men, I say, “Thank you, Coach Mac.” I’m proud to say I was one.

Coach Bill McCartney was 84 years old.

General Christian

About Shawn Paul Wood

Shawn Paul Wood, Th.D., is an award-winning copywriter, contributor, and content strategist, and ghostwriter of several faith-based articles, speeches, columns, and books who has worked for some of the most admirable brands in their respective industries for over 20 years. As Founder of Woodworks Communications, he leads teams of content strategists and marketing professionals to expand the brands of corporate leaders, serial entrepreneurs, and respected ministers of the Gospel. He aims to help others develop self-discovery through stories and the written word to proclaim the Word to the world. For more information about his portfolio or help telling your story, visit WoodworksCommunications.com. You can read more about the author here.

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