Earle Bruce (OSU HOF, CFB HOF, R.I.P.)

[Buckskin86]

Earle Bruce finds an outlet for his OSU opinions on blog
By Doug Harris, Staff Writer
Thursday, September 24, 2009

I spent some time reading Earle Bruce?s blog this week. Yep, the former Ohio State coach has his own Web site (earlebruce.com) and offers opinions on Buckeyes games.

OK, if you?re like me, you might need to pause here to wrap your brain around that one. The old-school coach is a proud contributor to the blogosphere. Not sure if he?s texting and downloading songs on an iPod, but blogging alone is pretty mind-blowing.

His entry this week addressed those who say Jim Tressel should give up calling plays. Bruce?s message: Back off.

?I called all the plays in my 13 years of high school coaching and all the years as a college head coach, obviously with input from the assistants, but if I couldn?t call the plays, I WOULD QUIT COACHING.?

The caps at the end were apparently an attempt by Bruce to get his trademark bellow in writing.

Misspellings and that infatuation with commas aside, Bruce at least is candid in his blog ? like in his take on Terrelle Pryor in the Southern Cal game.

?When a freshman USC quarterback comes into OUR stadium and outshines our own great quarterback, (Terrelle) Pryor, things couldn?t be worse! There needs to be more emphasis put on (Terrelle) and his passing ? I see no improvement since last year in his passing ability.?

Earle may be a novice, but he?ll probably generate a few ?amens? in Buckeye Land on that last point.

Earle Bruce finds an outlet for his OSU opinions on blog

Honorary captain

Former OSU player and coach Earle Bruce, known for his fiery oratory, will address the team during the pregame meal as one of the perks of being honorary captain for the Illinois game.

The 1979 team, Bruce's first at OSU, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Replacing the fired Woody Hayes, Bruce led that team to an unbeaten regular season and a shot at a national championship, only to lose 17-16 to Southern California in the Rose Bowl.

Ohio.com - Buckeyes give up shaking hands out of fear of catching flu

 

[Buckskin86]

Former OSU coach Earle Bruce was Saturday's honorary captain and spoke to the team before the game. He told the players to embrace the elements, even though he appeared to forget the Buckeyes no longer play on grass.

"He's a thoroughbred fan," receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. "He told us we were going to have to be 'mudders.'"

Ohio State: Buckeyes back on the ground | newarkadvocate.com | The Newark Advocate

 

[Buckskin86]

Nov. 17, 2009
Earle Bruce wouldn't mind a few Michigan football coaches getting fired

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Earle Bruce saw his first Ohio State-Michigan game in person in 1949. He?s developed some strong feelings for the rivalry in the many years since.

The former Buckeyes coach (81-26-1 in 1979-1987, including 5-4 vs. Michigan) was asked this week about Saturday?s noon clash with the Wolverines at the Big House in Ann Arbor.

Has any of the passion gone out of the game for him because of Michigan?s troubles the past two years?

?We want to beat them every year, every year, every year. That?s what we?re doing,? he said, referring to Ohio State?s five-game winning streak in the rivalry. ?I?m all for five in a row, six in a row, seven in a row, and I?d be fine with a couple of good coaches getting fired. That wouldn?t be bad, either.?

Bruce also didn?t want to hear about how the rivalry has lost its luster because of Michigan?s bad spell.

?I know you hear it?s not a rivalry when one team dominates, but we?ve done that, too (lose a lot of games in a row), especially before the 1930s,? he said. ?I would like to see a better (Michigan) team, and they will probably play better than they have all year. I?d like to see a rivalry where who?s going to win is up in the air at kickoff, the point spread was never more than one or two points and every game was nip and tuck.?

Earle Bruce wouldn't mind a few Michigan football coaches getting fired | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

 

[Buckskin86]

Article published November 19, 2009
HURRICANE BRUCE
Ex-OSU coach instills passion for rivalry
By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Ohio State players carry coach Earle Bruce off the field after the Buckeyes won 14-9 at Michigan in 1981.
( ASSOCIATED PRESS )

COLUMBUS ? The Ohio State-Michigan week is a time of orchestrated civility. It is a time when the players and coaches from both sides slobber with compliments about the opposition. No jawing, no trash talking, and no calling anyone out.

But former coaches are not bound by these Marquess of Queensberry rules. They have tenure, and a healthy pension, so they are more prone to exercise free speech on hot button topics. Around the halls and locker rooms at Ohio State, that means Earle Bruce becomes a fire-and-brimstone evangelist, much to the delight of the Buckeyes.

?Hurricane Bruce rolled in last night and spoke to the team, and that brings a lot of energy,? Ohio State senior offensive lineman Jim Cordle said earlier this week, describing the fist-pounding and veins-bulging-out-of-the-neck speech delivered by the former Ohio State coach.

?He's always funny, but this year he came in and he was kind of somber. The hurricane hadn't boiled up quite yet,? Cordle said.

Bruce, who coached the Buckeyes from 1979 to 1987 and was 5-4 against Michigan, told the players he grows roses in his garden, and brought a bouquet along to signify the Rose Bowl bid that Ohio State has already secured. Then he slammed his fist on the table and reminded the players that they will be judged by the Michigan game, so they should forget the roses until after Saturday.

Bruce

?I always like to talk to young people and talk about football. I don't know what good I do,? said Bruce, who went 81-26-1 at Ohio State and has remained active in the community and close to the program. ?I've probably seen more Ohio State football than anyone, since 1949. I get to speak about what's been done. I love the Michigan game. It's the greatest rivalry in college football.?

toledoblade.com --

 

[Woody1968]

toledoblade.com --

God, the Michigan football helmet visable in that picture is ugly. It looks like a spray painted French WWI helmet.

 

[Buckskin86]

Bucks Legend Tells Tales
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
Bucks Legend Tells Tales
Thursday, 10 December 2009

Staff photo/Mike Burkholder: Former Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce talks about life as a coach Wednesday afternoon.

CELINA ? A legendary coach from the Ohio State University regaled residents, administrators and staff of tales about stalking the sidelines at the Horseshoe. Earle Bruce visited The Gardens at Celina Wednesday afternoon. Bruce touched on subjects ranging from following in the footsteps of his mentor Woody Hayes as head coach to conversations with Florida coach Urban Meyer following Saturday?s SEC Championship loss to Alabama.

?They lost, they lost soundly,? Bruce said, noting he attended the game. ?When I left that game, I walked out with a lot of Florida people around me. I also have walked out when Ohio State has lost and I want to tell you the difference. When you walk out of Ohio State you know what they are talking about ? firing the coach. That?s No. 1 on the hit parade. The Florida fans, not one time did I hear them say, because I was listening, that they wanted to fire Meyer.?
Bruce also reflected on this football season for the Buckeyes. While many of the fans and media wrote off the Buckeyes after a shocking loss to Purdue, Bruce said he was confident the team would bounce back and earn a trip to Pasadena and the Rose Bowl.
?We hit the bottom,? Bruce said, noting many called for the firing of coach Jim Tressel.

?After hearing all that crap about it, after the Purdue game, I stood up and I said, ?What are you going to do when he (Tressel) beats Penn State at Penn State, what are you going to do when he beats Iowa at home and what are you going to do when he beats Michigan at Michigan to win the conference and go to the Rose Bowl.? We determine our own fate.?
To illustrate his point, Bruce placed a Buckeye into a jar filled with navy beans. Bruce pushed it to the bottom of the jar and shook it up, moving the Buckeye to the top of the jar.

?It?s like we were after the Purdue game ? at the bottom of the dump,? Bruce said as he shook the jar. ?You can?t keep a good Buckeye down long.?

The Evening Leader - Bucks Legend Tells Tales

 

[Buckskin86]

Meyer's mentor: 'He can come back from this and coach again'
Dave Curtis, Sporting News
Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009

Earle Bruce gave Urban Meyer his first job as an Ohio State graduate assistant in 1987. And for the last 23 years, Bruce has served as Meyer's primary mentor, providing advice and a sounding board for the two-time national championship coach. The two have traded messages over the weekend and plan to speak soon, Bruce said Sunday night. Bruce shared some perspective on Meyer's situation with Sporting News.

I was with Urban the Friday night before the Alabama game for the SEC championship, and I could see there was something wrong. He looked withdrawn and a little bit underweight. He looked like he wasn't enjoying anything. I didn't see the same passion he's had for coaching. And then, watching the game, I don't think he was all together with it. He's usually a dominant factor on the sidelines, and he wasn't in the game. He was subdued, and that's not his way.

Earle Bruce has been Urban Meyer's mentor for more than two decades.

The biggest piece of advice I would give him is, No. 1, the realization that you're not going to win every football game. If you don't, it's not the end of the world. You have to realize that other people play football pretty well, especially in the SEC. Same with recruiting. You're not going to get everyone. When you get 90 percent of the people you go after, that's pretty darn good. I hope he's learned not to set the hurdle so high for himself. But, you know, that's easier said than done.

Meyer's mentor: 'He can come back from this and coach again' - Dave Curtis, Sporting News - College Football - Sporting News

 

[kippy1040]

I was rather surprised that Earle Bruce has served as Meyer's primary mentor.
And coach Tressel was resposible for giving Earle an office emeritus in the WHAC center quite a few years ago. Maybe thats a standing tradition for
all Ex-coaches of the university they served at.
I really don't know, but the one thing that pops into my mind was, where was Earles allegiance at during the N/C game against Florida? I guess i should already know the answer to that but does Earle ever offer any suggestions or offers to Coach Tressel? I have always liked coach Bruce and still thinks that he is a good man. I hope he can give some good advice to Coach Tressel for game against Oregon.

 

[matcar]

I was rather surprised that Earle Bruce has served as Meyer's primary mentor.
And coach Tressel was resposible for giving Earle an office emeritus in the WHAC center quite a few years ago. Maybe thats a standing tradition for
all Ex-coaches of the university they served at.
I really don't know, but the one thing that pops into my mind was, where was Earles allegiance at during the N/C game against Florida? I guess i should already know the answer to that but does Earle ever offer any suggestions or offers to Coach Tressel? I have always liked coach Bruce and still thinks that he is a good man. I hope he can give some good advice to Coach Tressel for game against Oregon.

If you know anything about Coach Bruce, you would never ask about where his loyalties lie.

 

[Dryden]

Earle Bruce coaching tree in BCS bowl games played Jan 1, 2010: 2-0.

Well done, Coach.

 

[jwinslow]

With Saban yet to play, and Carroll a perennial juggernaut in said games.

 

[Bleed S & G]

Coach Bruce just walked up into our office and spent some time telling stories to us - my first time meeting him - very cool experience and an awesome guy.

"Someone once said: coaching is not a science, it's an art.... Bullshit." - Coach Earle Bruce about 5 minutes ago

 

[Buckskin86]

"I think the Michigan game is 'The Game,' meaning 'The Game' for everyone in this country," said former Buckeye coach Earle Bruce, whose teams compiled a 5-4 record against Michigan. "It is a great rivalry, and I just think it takes something away from the game if it isn't the last game. It's the games you play after that rivalry that will be affected.

"I would think that most real Ohio State graduates and football observers for many, many years would want it to be last. That's the history and tradition of the game, right? Why would you destroy it by going to something else if it's been so good so far? If it hadn't been good, I'd say change it. But it's been perfect for the two schools for all these years."

Past players plead: Leave Game alone | BuckeyeXtra

EARLE BRUCE, head coach of the Buckeyes from 1979-87 and player of the 1949 freshman team before an injury ended his career.

?I?m old-fashioned. I think of the rivalry as something I?ve known since 1949. I just think it would be out of place to not play Michigan last.?

On whether he?s resigned to the change
?I think they?ll do something with it. I don?t think there are enough people who have the great intensity toward that rivalry that I might have. It doesn?t mean anything to them if it?s played sometime in November. Some people don?t actually think it?s ?The Game.? They just think it?s another game.

On who ?they? are
?I guess when I say ?they,? I mean the people in charge.?

More quotes from OSU-Michigan rivalry story (Blogging the Buckeyes)

 

[Buckskin86]

CSU to honor former coach Earle Bruce
By Natalie Meisler
The Denver Post
Posted: 10/30/2010

Earle Bruce will be a key part of Legends Weekend at Fort Collins.

Nearly 18 years after his stormy news conference exit and eight years following his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, Earle Bruce is getting his long-overdue recognition from Colorado State University.

It's Legends Weekend, a distraction from the current 2-6 season. Players and coaches from the 1990 Freedom Bowl team will be introduced at today's New Mexico-CSU game.

It will be Bruce's first time back at Hughes Stadium since beating Ohio University 35-24 in his 1992 home finale.

"I want to see that team. It's a great group of young men," Bruce said this week from his home in Ohio. "I'm going to enjoy being in the stadium."

Bruce could spot talent, both in players and coaches. During a career
Colorado State Football spanning Iowa State, Ohio State and CSU, he hired four assistants ? Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, Pete Carroll and Nick Saban ? who went on to win at least one national championship.

"Coaches and players make for national championships," Bruce said. "I had good coaches, but I really had good players every place I've coached."

The tumultuous exit over an extensive list of allegations overshadowed his contributions. He inherited a program coming off a two-year, 2-21 record and turned it around in two years to the 9-4 Freedom Bowl season. It was CSU's first bowl since the 1949 Raisin Bowl.

Bruce recruited the foundation for future CSU success off the bowl upset over Oregon. Future NFL players Greg Myers, Brady Smith, Sean Moran and Ray Jackson signed up.

"I enjoyed the '90 team and my years at CSU because they all gave great effort," Bruce said.

Read more: CSU to honor former coach Earle Bruce - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/csu/ci_16473179#ixzz13qDouKB9

 

[cgallon]

Earl Bruce question

How did he only manage to go 9-3 all those years and not win a national title?? I was reading up on the history of OSU football, getting ready for the TSUN game this weekend when i ran across some information. He had the following assitant coaches during his tenure as head football coach ...

Jim Tressel
Pete Carroll
Nick Saban
Urban Meyer
Dom Capers

Those are 4 of the top coaches in college football during the 90s and 2000s along with one of the greatest NFL Defensive Coordinators for the 3-4 defense ever.