2008
Mr. Darrell K Royal
As Head Coach for the University of Texas Longhorns from 1957-1976, Darrell K Royal became a true Texas legend. His effective coaching strategies provided almost immediate success for the team that had had its worst record season, one in nine, just prior to Coach Royal's arrival. He led the team to the Sugar Bowl in his first season and to fifteen more bowl games thereafter. He led the Longhorns to their first National Championship in 1963. His coaching brought them national titles in 1969 and 1970 as well and also allowed them to win eleven Southwest Conference Championships. In his twenty-three years of coaching, he never had a losing season. He was noted for not only his success, but also his innovation. He introduced both the winged T "flip flop" and the wishbone formation backfield. His dedication to his players went beyond their performance on the field, as evidenced by his becoming the nation's first coach to employ an academic counselor for his players. He was selected Coach of the Year in 1961 and 1963, and elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983. From 1962 until 1980, he served the University of Texas as Athletics Director. He has dedicated much of his time to volunteering in support of organizations that serve children's causes.
As Head Coach for the University of Texas Longhorns from 1957-1976, Darrell K Royal became a true Texas legend. His effective coaching strategies provided almost immediate success for the team that had had its worst record season, one in nine, just prior to Coach Royal's arrival. He led the team to the Sugar Bowl in his first season and to fifteen more bowl games thereafter. He led the Longhorns to their first National Championship in 1963. His coaching brought them national titles in 1969 and 1970 as well and also allowed them to win eleven Southwest Conference Championships. In his twenty-three years of coaching, he never had a losing season. He was noted for not only his success, but also his innovation. He introduced both the winged T "flip flop" and the wishbone formation backfield. His dedication to his players went beyond their performance on the field, as evidenced by his becoming the nation's first coach to employ an academic counselor for his players. He was selected Coach of the Year in 1961 and 1963, and elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983. From 1962 until 1980, he served the University of Texas as Athletics Director. He has dedicated much of his time to volunteering in support of organizations that serve children's causes.