Sherrod Coates doesn’t pull the ring out of his jewelry box unless he’s making a return trip to Western Kentucky’s campus. Living in Charlotte, N.C., those days are limited to a homecoming game every few years.

But Coates was back at WKU this weekend for the home opener against Maine, his first trip back to Bowling Green in three years. There around his neck was the 2002 Division I-AA national championship ring.

“Big events,” Coates said. “I pull it out where people can understand the meaning of it.”

It was certainly a big event this weekend for Coates and 30 other former Hilltoppers who were selected as members of WKU’s All-Century Team in celebration of the program’s 100th football season.

Jack Harbaugh and the late Jimmy Feix were voted as the All-Century Team’s co-head coaches while 11 members on offense, defense and five special teams/all-purpose players were selected.

Those who could attend were honored at a reception Friday night in the Jack & Jackie Harbaugh Club at Houchens-Smith Stadium, then Saturday signed autographs at a meet and greet, led the team down Avenue of Champions for the Topper Walk and were honored on the field at halftime.

“When I got the phone call from (Sports Information Director Emeritus) Paul (Just), I honestly teared up,” Coates said. “It’s amazing to be a part of such an elite group. I’m excited to be back on the Hill and a part of something this special.”

Coates, a linebacker from 1999-02, holds the school season and career records for tackles for loss, sacks and career forced fumbles. He and three other members of the All-Century team were a part of the national championship team 16 years ago.

Buster Ashley (2001-04) and Chris Price (1999-02) were consensus All-American offensive linemen in 2004 and 2002, respectively. Brian Claybourn (2001-04) was an All-American punter in 2004.

“When you talk about 100 years and how many players are on a football team, it’s amazing they pick 31 people and you’re a part of it,” Ashley said. “It’s an honor, especially when you see the names on the table and the ones on that list. It means a lot, it really does.”

Ashley lives in Owensboro and Price resides in Morgantown, so their return trips to WKU are more frequent than others. Price said social media allows most of the 2002 team to stay connected, but added nothing replaces an actual reunion of old teammates.

“It’s always good to be back on the Hill when you get a chance to come back and reconnect with teammates,” Price said. “The beauty of it is when we get back together, it’s like we never missed a day. That’s what I love about coming back here, like you were never separated.”

Price added how unique it was for two linemen who played on the same team to join an All-Century team. Taywan Taylor and Nicholas Norris fall into that same category at wide receiver. Taylor, currently with the Tennessee Titans, and Norris, now coaching high school football in Miami, finished their four-year careers as the most productive 1-2 receiver tandem in school history after playing from 2013-16.

Taylor, Norris, offensive lineman Forrest Lamp and quarterback Brandon Doughty are four players who saw the most success for WKU at the FBS level. WKU finished the 2015 season ranked No. 25 in the AP ranking after winning the first of back-to-back Conference USA championships.

Lamp was a second-round NFL Draft pick in 2017 of the Los Angeles Chargers, making him the earliest selection of any WKU football player.

Joseph Jefferson held that title for a number of years. Also a part of the All-Century Team, Jefferson was a defensive back from 1998-01 and selected in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Jefferson was in attendance Saturday wearing a Mel Mitchell New Orleans Saints jersey. Mitchell is an All-Century Team member who played with Jefferson in WKU’s secondary from 1999-01.

“It’s amazing and very humbling,” Jefferson said. “You think about 100 years, and of all the players that came through your position in 100 years, you’re chosen to be one of them. I give all the thanks and glory to God.”

WKU All-Century Team Offense

All-Century Team – Offense

Quarterback – Brandon Doughty (2013-15)

Running Back – Bobby Rainey (2008-11)

Running Back – Dickie Moore (1965-68)

Tight End – Jack Doyle (2009-12)

Wide Receiver – Taywan Taylor (2013-16)

Wide Receiver – Porter Williams (1970-73)

Wide Receiver – Nicholas Norris (2013-16)

Offensive Line – Forrest Lamp (2013-16)

Offensive Line – Buster Ashley (2001-04)

Offensive Line – Chris Price (1999-02)

Offensive Line – David Carter (1973-76)

Offensive Line – Jim “Yogi” Hardin (1955-58)

All-Century Team Defense

Defensive Line – Lawrence Brame (1967-70)

Defensive Line – John Bushong (1971-74)

Defensive Line – Tim Ford (1979-81)

Defensive Line – Quanterus Smith (2009-12)

Linebacker – Sherrod Coates (1999-02)

Linebacker – Paul Gray (1980-83)

Linebacker – Rick Green (1972-75)

Linebacker – Dale Lindsey (1963-64)

Defensive Back – Virgil Livers (1971-74)

Defensive Back – Jim Burt (1961-64)

Defensive Back – Joseph Jefferson (1998-01)

Defensive Back – Mel Mitchell (1999-01)

All-Century Team – Special Teams/All-Purpose Player

All-Purpose Player – Willie Taggart (1995-98)

Returner – Antonio Andrews (2010-13)

Returner – Joey Stockton (1994-97)

Kicker – Garrett Schwettman (2012-15)

Punter – Brian Claybourn (2001-04){&end}