Hired in 1958, Bill Powell was the first person to direct the athletic department and coach men's basketball at South Plains College. Powell, who recruited his first players at local pick-up games, led SPC to its first WJCAC title in 1964 before stepping down as coach in 1967.

During his tenure at SPC from 1958-1980, Coach Powell played a vital role in every aspect of the athletic department as he coached the golf team until 1973. In the spring of 1975 he filled in to coach the newly formed women's basketball program, and served as chairperson of the physical education department until his retirement in 1980.

Powell was inducted into the Texan Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2004.