Legendary Longhorns Football Coach and College Football Hall of Famer Darrell Royal has passed away in Austin, The University confirmed today. He was 88 years old.
“Coach Royal was a tremendous Football Coach, Athletic Director and member of the community, and I’m proud to say he was a close friend,” said University of Texas at Austin President Bill Powers. “More than anything else was a great man, and we will miss him. Our prayers and thoughts go out to Edith and all of the Royal family.”
Royal, whom the UT football stadium is named for (Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium), is the Longhorns’ all-time winningest coach. He posted a 167-47-5 record from 1957-76, won three National Championships and 11 Southwest Conference titles.
Following is a statement from UT Austin Head Football Coach Mack Brown:
“Today is a very sad day. I lost a wonderful friend, a mentor, a confidant and my hero. College football lost maybe its best ever and the world lost a great man. I can hardly put in words how much Coach Royal means to me and all that he has done for me and my family. I wouldn’t even be at Texas without Coach. His council and friendship meant a lot to me before I came to Texas, but it’s been my guiding light for my 15 years here.
“Coach gave so much more to the State of Texas and college football than he took away. He forgot more football than most of us will ever know, including me. His impact on the game, the coaches and players, the community and the millions of lives he touched, is insurmountable. He will be missed in so many ways.
“I lost my Dad when I was 54, and Coach filled a real void in my life and treated me like family. Sally and I gained a lot coming to Texas and being a part of this tremendous program but no more than our relationship with Coach and Edith. They were our closest of friends. Our heart pours out to Edith and the family and our thoughts and prayers are with her and the family. We will always be there to lend any and all support that we can as she and Coach always did for us.”
— UT Athletics
