Randy Campbell

Thomas Randolph "Randy" Campbell is an American football quarterback who played for Auburn University, a NCAA Division 1-A school; is a speaker and wealth management and life insurance professional.

He is best known for his two years as Auburn University's starting quarterback and leader of the 1983 SEC Championship Tigers. Upon graduation Campbell held NCAA passing records and was named MVP of the 1982 Tangerine Bowl. Campbell founded Campbell Wealth Management, LLC, a wealth management and life insurance company.

Early life

Randy Campbell was born in North Carolina to James and Tommie Campbell. He has one younger brother, Norman Campbell. His father was transferred to Hartselle, Alabama when Campbell was in the second grade where he attending Hartselle Elementary School. He went to Morgan County High School, now known as Hartselle High School. Campbell was the starting quarterback for several years at Morgan County High School.

As a senior Campbell was ranked the number one quarterback and considered the fourth best player overall in the state of Alabama. Campbell served as class president of Morgan County High School for three years and was ranked in the top 10 academically of his graduating class. He was offered many NCAA Division 1-A athletic scholarships such as the University of Tennessee, the University of Mississippi, Vanderbilt University and Mississippi State University and decided on Auburn University.

College years

Campbell played under Coach Pat Dye as the starting quarterback during the 1982 and 1983 seasons. Other standouts on those teams were Bob Harris, David Jordan, Al Del Greco, Tommie Agee, Lionel "Little Train" James, John "Jay" Jacobs and Ben Thomas. The 1982 season is highlighted with the victory over state rival the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant after a nine-year losing streak. Campbell then led the Tigers to a victory over Boston College in the Tangerine Bowl.

Campbell was named Most Valuable Player in that game where two future Heisman Trophy winners played as well; Vincent "Bo" Jackson (Auburn University) and Doug Flutie (Boston College). As Team Captain in 1983, Campbell led the Tigers to a consecutive victory over the Crimson Tide finishing the year 11-1. They were named the SEC Champions and bested the University of Michigan in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. Auburn was ranked #3 AP, UPI, National Champions – New York Times. Campbell received the 1983 Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club – SEC Back of the Year and set an NCAA record for lowest interception ratio in a career 5 interceptions 300 attempts. He also received the Cliff Hare Award.

Professional career

Upon graduation Campbell moved to Atlanta to work for a sports marketing and management firm, Athletic Management Service, Inc. where he was primarily responsible for recruiting and managing professional athletes and coaches. Some of the individuals Campbell worked with included Coach Bobby Bowden of Florida State University, Dominique Wilkins of the University of Georgia and Atlanta Hawks and defensive great Ted Roof from Georgia Tech who now is the Defensive Coordinator at Campbell's alma mater.

Campbell then moved to Florence, Alabama where he coached wide receivers and tight ends in football at the University of North Alabama (Lions) under Head Coach Bobby Wallace. Campbell was quickly moved to Quarterbacks Coach then became Offensive Coordinator. During his fourth and final season at University of North Alabama Campbell's last signed recruit was Ronald McKinnon from Elba, Alabama. McKinnon became the first and only defensive player ever to be awarded the Harlan Hill Award. McKinnon went on to receive the Rookie of the Year Award in the National Football League while playing for the Arizona Cardinals.

In January 1992, Dye asked Campbell to replace former Heisman Trophy winner Coach Pat Sullivan as Quarterbacks Coach for the Auburn Tigers. Sullivan had recently resigned from Auburn to become the new Head Coach at Texas Christian University (Hornfrogs). Stan White and Patrick Nix were two of the players Campbell coached that season. Before the last game of that season, Dye announced his retirement.

Campbell decided to leave coaching as well, move to Birmingham, Alabama and begin a career selling life insurance and in wealth management. He joined Pittman Financial, Inc. as a career agent in the New England Life Insurance Company system. After only 9 months in the new position Campbell was given a national recognition by New England as a member of the Rookie of the Year Team for sales performance.

Entrepreneurship and philanthropy

As an entrepreneur Campbell formed his own company Campbell Wealth Management, LLC, based in Birmingham, Alabama where he serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer. He has worked closely with Auburn University in the Charitable Planned Giving program helping raise millions of dollars which will benefit Auburn University in years to come.

He served as Co-Chair for the Birmingham area during Auburn University's Capital Campaign. He was also a board member of Making Strides of Alabama, Inc. whose mission was to serve children with cerebral palsy through physical training at Children's Hospital. Campbell was a board member of Gifts, Inc. founded by Peggy England serving disadvantaged and ill children throughout the state of Alabama. Campbell and Kermit Kendrick, Esq. and former All- American defensive player for the University of Alabama also formed Legends for Children, Inc.an Alabama-based non-profit charitable organization that served underprivileged children.

References

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