Hayes' replacement Earle Bruce, 87, dies

Earle Bruce, who had a record of 81-26-1 as Ohio State’s coach in 1979-1987, died Friday. He was 87.
Earle Bruce, who had a record of 81-26-1 as Ohio State’s coach in 1979-1987, died Friday. He was 87.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Earle Bruce stepped into his dream job -- football coach at Ohio State -- under the most challenging circumstances, replacing the program's revered longtime leader after a fall from grace.

Bruce embraced the task of following Woody Hayes, and went on to have his own Hall of Fame career. He never quite matched Hayes' record or status at Ohio State, but Bruce earned a special place of his own in Buckeyes football history as adored patriarch and sage.

Bruce died in Columbus at 87, according to a statement released by his daughters through Ohio State on Friday. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

He had a record of 81-26-1 as Ohio State's coach from 1979-87. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

Bruce was hired after the revered Hayes was fired for punching a Clemson player in the 1978 Gator Bowl. Even after being fired by Ohio State and moving on to other jobs, Bruce never lost his passion for Ohio State football.

Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Bruce in 1986, and later worked for him at Colorado State.

"I've made it clear many times that, other than my father, Coach Bruce was the most influential man in my life," Meyer said in a statement. "Every significant decision I've made growing up in this profession was with him involved in it. His wife (Jean) and he were the role models for Shelley and me. They did everything with class. He was not afraid to show how much he loved his family and cared for his family."

Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Cumberland, Md., Bruce had come to Ohio State in the fall of 1949 to play football. He sustained a knee injury that effectively ended his playing days and got him to thinking about becoming a coach.

He served as an assistant high school coach in Mansfield, and then became a head coach in 1956 at Salem where his teams went 28-9. He moved on to Sandusky High School in 1960 and in four years had a record of 34-3-3 and then took over at mighty Massillon, one of the most renowned prep jobs in the country. In two seasons, Bruce went 20-0.

Hayes beckoned and Bruce joined him as an assistant at Ohio State in 1966. Bruce was in charge of a bruising offensive line that paved the way for the Buckeyes to win three Big Ten titles, two Rose Bowls, go 43-14 and win the 1968 national championship.

Bruce was on the 1968 staff that also included Lou Holtz, Bill Mallory, Lou McCullough and George Chaump. Earlier, Bruce had worked on an Ohio State staff that included Bo Schembechler, who would become the head coach at Michigan and serve as a nemesis for both Hayes and Bruce.

After six years on Hayes' staff, Bruce became a college head coach for the first time when he spent a year at the University of Tampa and went 10-2 with a colorful cast that included NFL star John Matuszak and George Orendorf, who would go on to become a professional wrestling mainstay.

After a stint at Iowa State, Bruce was hired in January 1979 to replace his mentor and friend. He tackled the job with characteristic energy and organization, despite some criticism from fans who constantly compared him to the sainted Hayes.

After winning or sharing four Big Ten titles, he was fired in 1987 after falling into disfavor with Ohio State President Ed Jennings.

He went on to do stints as head coach at Northern Iowa and Colorado State before returning to Columbus in retirement and again becoming an integral part of Buckeyes football. He worked for years as a radio analyst on Ohio State football.

Bruce was preceded in death by his wife, Jean. Survivors include four daughters, nine grandchildren -- including Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith -- and three great grandchildren.

Sports on 04/21/2018

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