Darrell Royal Quotes

A collection of quotes by Darrell Royal.

Darrell Royal was an American football player and coach, born on July 6, 1924, in Hollis, Oklahoma. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma as a quarterback under the legendary coach Bud Wilkinson. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Royal returned to Oklahoma to finish his college career.

Following his collegiate playing days, Royal began his coaching career as an assistant at North Carolina State and Tulsa. In 1957, he became the head coach at the University of Mississippi, where he achieved moderate success. However, Royal truly made his mark when he was hired as the head coach at the University of Texas in 1957.

During his 20-year tenure at Texas, Royal revolutionized the game by implementing the wishbone offense, a system that featured a powerful running attack. Under his leadership, the Longhorns won three national championships (1963, 1969, 1970) and 11 Southwest Conference titles. Royal's teams also made 16 bowl game appearances and finished in the AP Top 10 rankings 11 times.

Beyond his coaching success, Royal was known for his innovative strategies, motivational techniques, and his ability to develop talented players. He retired from coaching in 1976 with a record of 184 wins, 60 losses, and 5 ties.

Darrell Royal's impact on the game of football was immense, and he left behind a lasting legacy. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and enjoyed an esteemed reputation as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport. Darrell Royal passed away on November 7, 2012, at the age of 88.

The only thing that would change would be the year, the name

The only thing that would change would be the year, the names. It just got to be a repetitious life.

Darrell Royal

Life Change

I don't count on the boy who waits till October, when it's c

I don't count on the boy who waits till October, when it's cool and fun, then decides he wants to play.

Darrell Royal

Cool

I have found that the players who have played in that game r

I have found that the players who have played in that game really do have respect for their adversaries.

Darrell Royal

Respect

I'm still healthy as can be.

I'm still healthy as can be.

Darrell Royal

Health

Football doesn't build character. It eliminates weak ones.

Football doesn't build character. It eliminates weak ones.

Darrell Royal

Character

For me, it is just the total experience - from the time I fi

For me, it is just the total experience - from the time I first started as an assistant coach until I wound up at the University of Texas for 20 years.

Darrell Royal

Experience

I know that the odds are against a marriage lasting 60 years

I know that the odds are against a marriage lasting 60 years.

Darrell Royal

Marriage

I never have planned a whole lot of future. It's one day at

I never have planned a whole lot of future. It's one day at a time.

Darrell Royal

Future

You know, a football coach is nothing more than a teacher. Y

You know, a football coach is nothing more than a teacher. You teach them the same subject, and you have a group of new guys every year.

Darrell Royal

Teacher