ATLANTA — Pepper Rodgers, a colorful personality who helped Georgia Tech to an unbeaten season as a player in 1952 and went on to coach the Yellow Jackets as well as Kansas, UCLA and Memphis teams in both the USFL and CFL, died Thursday. He was 88.

A quarterback and kicker, Rodgers was part of Georgia Tech teams that went 32-2-3, claimed two Southeastern Conference championships and won three major bowl games during his three years on the varsity. He capped a 12-0 season in 1952 by throwing a touchdown pass, kicking a field goal and adding three extra points in a 24-7 victory over Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.

Georgia Tech finished No. 1 in the International News Service poll, but settled for No. 2 behind Michigan State in The Associated Press and coaches’ polls.

Rodgers began his head coaching career at Kansas in 1967. He went 20-22 over four seasons, including an Orange Bowl appearance to cap the 1968 season, before moving to UCLA.