Former ISU Coach Earle Bruce Has Died

[ISU85]

http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...-state-buckeyes-coach-earle-bruce-dies-age-87

Bruce was 87 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last year.

He coached ISU from 1973 to 1978 and had some of the Cyclones' best teams, going to two bowl games (and should have been invited to a bowl in 1976 too). One of the best coaches in ISU history.

 

[dexterhawk]

Great coach. 1976 team was win away from the Orange Bowl...

 

[SC Cy]

 

[Rural]

Name that coaching staff, starting.........now.

 

[Al_4_State]

Pete Carroll in the upper left, correct?

 

[Rural]

Pete Carroll in the upper left, correct?

That's one.

 

[urb1]

I started school in '77 when he took us to the Peach Bowl, which was a fun road trip. He spoiled me for the rest of my life with two 8-3 regular seasons.

 

[acoustimac]

Will always remember those amazing teams. They were the definition of tough.

 

[cyclones500]

He coached in my first years as an Iowa State football fan. RIP.

Almost 4 decades since he left ISU. (!)

 

[BoilerClone]

Back in 2011 I attended the Notre Dame v. Navy football game and happened to sit next to Earl's brother who was visiting Notre Dame Stadium with his wife for the first time. He asked if I was always a Notre Dame fan, and I told him I married into it and was actually a Cyclone. He said, "Oh, my brother used to live in Ames..." and eventually revealed who his brother was!

For what it's worth, he told me that Earl absolutely loved Iowa State and Ames, and that in the end he had some regrets about leaving for Columbus. In Ames he was loved, there was less pressure, and he was excited about what he was building. In Columbus it was "what have you done for me lately" and much more stress on him and his family.

Anyway, I'm hoping that Campbell has heard the same...

 

[Knownothing]

Earl was a good guy. Him and Johnny Majors used to come to all the Alumni stuff at Iowa State. I always appreciated that. Even though they left. They still felt like they were part of the Cyclone family.

 

[83Clone]

Jim Williams-former Dowling head coach second from right back row

 

[beentherebefore]

Back in 2011 I attended the Notre Dame v. Navy football game and happened to sit next to Earl's brother who was visiting Notre Dame Stadium with his wife for the first time. He asked if I was always a Notre Dame fan, and I told him I married into it and was actually a Cyclone. He said, "Oh, my brother used to live in Ames..." and eventually revealed who his brother was!

For what it's worth, he told me that Earl absolutely loved Iowa State and Ames, and that in the end he had some regrets about leaving for Columbus. In Ames he was loved, there was less pressure, and he was excited about what he was building. In Columbus it was "what have you done for me lately" and much more stress on him and his family.

Anyway, I'm hoping that Campbell has heard the same...

Those teams were amazing, and those great 1970s teams and coaches (Majors and Bruce) always seem(ed) to mention in interviews that Ames was the best place for them. But of course, Ames was/is a transitional job for most coaches that have great coaching skills and successful teams. I always heard that many ISU faculty members did not care too much for coach Bruce. I assume they were jealous and were hoping the university would de-emphasize athletics.

I, too, hope Campbell continues to buck the trend and keep his family in Ames. It appears to me that Campbell has just as much coaching ability as Bruce and Majors. The future looks really bright in Ames.

Earle Bruce and his teams are what made me a Cyclone fan.

 

[Rural]

This is where it needs to be said, "Jesus Woody, have a little self-control".

 

[abcguyks]

Front Row: Bob Tucker, Steve Szabo, Dave Triplett, Wayne Stanley
Back Row: Pete Carroll, Peter Rodriguez, Earle Bruce, Jim Williams, Tom Lichtenberg

 

[cyfamily]

Good coach, good guy, and led some of the best ISU teams.

 

[cydsho]

Those teams were amazing, and those great 1970s teams and coaches (Majors and Bruce) always seem(ed) to mention in interviews that Ames was the best place for them. But of course, Ames was/is a transitional job for most coaches that have great coaching skills and successful teams. I always heard that many ISU faculty members did not care too much for coach Bruce. I assume they were jealous and were hoping the university would de-emphasize athletics.

I, too, hope Campbell continues to buck the trend and keep his family in Ames. It appears to me that Campbell has just as much coaching ability as Bruce and Majors. The future looks really bright in Ames.

Earle Bruce and his teams are what made me a Cyclone fan.

Woody Hayes punching someone was probably the worst thing that ever happened to ISU athletics......
RIP.....

 

[Knownothing]

BTW Tom Lichtenberg passed away back in 2013. Good guy as well.

 

[Jeffrey Scott]

Johnny Majors turned me into an Iowa State fan, and Earle Bruce solidified it. It was a tough beginning for Bruce, but he really made it happen for ISU. I agree with a previous poster that Woody Hayes was probably the worst thing to ever happen to ISU athletics...Johnny Orr was the best!

 

[CTTB78]

Still remember Earle pounding on the door next to my room in Wallace out at the Towers. He had a WR from Florida that wasn't too keen on going to any classes and Earle was paying him a visit. Can't remember the kid's name other than he went by 'Silk'.