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| Photo by Associated Press |
The college football and sports world lost one of its giants today. Darrell Royal, the former coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Washington Huskies, and most notably the Texas Longhorns, passed away this morning, the Associated Press reported. Royal was 88 years old. He was, according to some reports, suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Darrell Royal was, at his best, an innovator and a remarkable man in the college football world. In 1968, Royal and his offensive coordinator created the famed Wishbone offense, with its intention to, in his words, "make the fullback look slower." This dynamic offense, at the time, would dominate college football for more than two decades afterwards. While at the University of Texas, Royal won three National Championships (1963, 1969 and 1970). He also won the Southwest Conference a remarkable 11 times (1959, 1961-1963, 1968-1973, 1975) including, as noted, six seasons in a row. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
He was though, unfortunately, shrouded in controversy more often than not for his shady recruiting tactics that eventually ran him out of the Texas head coaching job. However, it is important to not only realize that, but to also celebrate the life of this head coach who was such a large figure in the college football world. As some may know, the Longhorns' stadium is named after Darrell K. Royal. Longhorn Nation is most certainly mourning today.
Darrell Royal was, at his best, an innovator and a remarkable man in the college football world. In 1968, Royal and his offensive coordinator created the famed Wishbone offense, with its intention to, in his words, "make the fullback look slower." This dynamic offense, at the time, would dominate college football for more than two decades afterwards. While at the University of Texas, Royal won three National Championships (1963, 1969 and 1970). He also won the Southwest Conference a remarkable 11 times (1959, 1961-1963, 1968-1973, 1975) including, as noted, six seasons in a row. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
He was though, unfortunately, shrouded in controversy more often than not for his shady recruiting tactics that eventually ran him out of the Texas head coaching job. However, it is important to not only realize that, but to also celebrate the life of this head coach who was such a large figure in the college football world. As some may know, the Longhorns' stadium is named after Darrell K. Royal. Longhorn Nation is most certainly mourning today.
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