With Friday morning's news that former Ohio State head coach Earle Bruce passed away at the age of 87, the college football world continues to reflect on the contributions of a great coach and person.
One such person is Nick Saban, the current Alabama Crimson Tide head coach who served under Bruce as an assistant in Columbus for two seasons in 1980-81.
Saban spoke with Dave Holmes of WBNS-10TV last night, offering fond memories and kind words for what is probably the only person to ever fire him.
“I always had a tremendous amount of respect for Earle as a coach and a person,” Saban said about the Buckeye great.
“I certainly learned a tremendous amount from him. He was a great teacher and a competitor.”
“He was so competitive when we were involved in football. But then we'd go play golf with someone and he was like the most compassionate, caring, interesting, interested in you kind of person that you'd hope to be around.”
A public celebration of Earle Bruce's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John Arena.
