Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame
Don Winstead
- Induction:
- 1988
Don Winstead was a talented and versatile running back and defensive back for the Southern Miss teams of 1947 and 1948. Winstead’s skills and contributions helped Coach Reed Green’s teams to 14 wins in 20 games during those two seasons.
Winstead was one of the leading ball carriers on the 1947 team that featured great backs like Bubba Phillips and Morris Brown, but he was an important cog in the Southern Miss offensive attack as anyone.
In 1947 he carried the ball 43 times for 188 yards (4.4 average) to rank third on the team in rushing. He also caught a pass for nine yards, punted 14 times for a 33.6-yard average and tied Phillips and Sonny Carr for the team lead in interceptions with four.
That 1947 team would go 7-3, including a stunning 19-13 win over Auburn. Although the offense was not as explosive as it would become over the next few years, the defense, of which Winstead was a big part of, was superb. After giving up 34 points to Alabama in the season opener, only once the rest of the year did they give up more than 14 points and even recorded back-to-back shutouts against Northwestern Louisiana and Union.
Winstead showed that first season that he had the stuff that some of the school’s all-time greats were made of. What he lacked in abilities, he more than made up for in dedication and hard work. He was the type of player that made it clear to the coaching staff right from the start that he was willing to do anything that he could to help the team win. And more times than not during that 1947 season, although it might not show up on the stat sheet, Winstead did the little things that helped the team win games. A key block here, a deflected pass, a key play on the special teams, all were the types of things Winstead was expected to do.
In 1948 Winstead’s role changed somewhat on the Southern Miss team. He wouldn’t be utilized as quite the offensive weapon that he was in 1947, but nevertheless his contribution did not diminish. He carried the ball only five times that year for 27 yards, caught a five-yard pass, but where he was most valuable on defense leading that unit to another good year from his defensive halfback spot. While the offense continued to get better and better throughout the year, so did the defense that recorded two shutouts and three other times held the opponents to one touchdown. That team finished strong winning six of it’s last seven games.
Although Winstead was not a flashy runner or a defensive player that would draw the attention of the opposition, he was the type of player that Coach Reed Green loved to have. One that came to play every day, whether it was practice of a game. One that never left anything on the practice or game field. One that loved to play the game of football and took a lot of pride in his and his team’s approach to the game.
It was because of that Winstead earned his spot in the USM Sports Hall of Fame.
Winstead was one of the leading ball carriers on the 1947 team that featured great backs like Bubba Phillips and Morris Brown, but he was an important cog in the Southern Miss offensive attack as anyone.
In 1947 he carried the ball 43 times for 188 yards (4.4 average) to rank third on the team in rushing. He also caught a pass for nine yards, punted 14 times for a 33.6-yard average and tied Phillips and Sonny Carr for the team lead in interceptions with four.
That 1947 team would go 7-3, including a stunning 19-13 win over Auburn. Although the offense was not as explosive as it would become over the next few years, the defense, of which Winstead was a big part of, was superb. After giving up 34 points to Alabama in the season opener, only once the rest of the year did they give up more than 14 points and even recorded back-to-back shutouts against Northwestern Louisiana and Union.
Winstead showed that first season that he had the stuff that some of the school’s all-time greats were made of. What he lacked in abilities, he more than made up for in dedication and hard work. He was the type of player that made it clear to the coaching staff right from the start that he was willing to do anything that he could to help the team win. And more times than not during that 1947 season, although it might not show up on the stat sheet, Winstead did the little things that helped the team win games. A key block here, a deflected pass, a key play on the special teams, all were the types of things Winstead was expected to do.
In 1948 Winstead’s role changed somewhat on the Southern Miss team. He wouldn’t be utilized as quite the offensive weapon that he was in 1947, but nevertheless his contribution did not diminish. He carried the ball only five times that year for 27 yards, caught a five-yard pass, but where he was most valuable on defense leading that unit to another good year from his defensive halfback spot. While the offense continued to get better and better throughout the year, so did the defense that recorded two shutouts and three other times held the opponents to one touchdown. That team finished strong winning six of it’s last seven games.
Although Winstead was not a flashy runner or a defensive player that would draw the attention of the opposition, he was the type of player that Coach Reed Green loved to have. One that came to play every day, whether it was practice of a game. One that never left anything on the practice or game field. One that loved to play the game of football and took a lot of pride in his and his team’s approach to the game.
It was because of that Winstead earned his spot in the USM Sports Hall of Fame.
Charles Huff Weekly Press Conference - The Louisiana Game
Tuesday, October 14
Charles Huff Weekly Press Conference - The Georgia Southern Game
Tuesday, October 07
Charles Huff Weekly Press Conference - September 30, 2025 (Bye Week)
Tuesday, September 30
Postgame Press Conference - The Jax State Game
Sunday, September 28
