History of Darrell Royal


Royal was 32 years old when he took the head coaching job at Texas in December of 1956, and he came to the Austin campus with a folksy sense of humor that produced a phenomenon called "Royalisms" and an innovative style of football that produced almost instant success.

Texas went from a 1-9 season in 1956 to a 6-3-1 regular season in 1957, and with a trip to the Sugar Bowl, Royal's Longhorns were off on the first of 16 bowl trips they would make over the next 20 years.

In 1962, Royal assumed the dual role of Athletics Director and head football coach, and when he resigned from the football job following the 1976 season, he remained as Director of Athletics for three years. In January of 1980, Royal left the athletics department and became a special assistant on athletic programs to The University president. And now serves as a part-time consultant.

In 23 years as a head coach, he never had a losing season, and his teams went 167-47-5 in his 20 years at Texas, the best mark in the nation over that period, Royal's Longhorn teams finished in the Top 10 nationally 11 times. He coached 77 all-SWC players and 26 all-Americans. His overall coaching record was 184-60-5. During Royal's tenure, Texas won three national championships, 11 South west Conference championships and played in 16 bowl games.

Royal is credited with two major changes in collegiate football. In 1961, he used a "flip-flop" to the winged-T, allowing the offensive picture to flip right or left, so that blocking assignment remained simplified. In 1968, Royal installed the famed Wishbone formation backfield with the fullback lined up two yards behind the quarterback and a step off from the other backs. With that formation, his teams won 30-straight game and a record six-straight Southwest Conference Championships.

One main concern of his was success in the classroom and adherence to the rules. When Royal came to Texas, his first act was to employ the nation's firs academic counselor, and over the years, four out of five men who lettered fo Royal went on to achieve their degree. Royal set aside a fund for a special "T" ring, which he personally awarded to his players upon their graduation.

Career Record at Texas: 167-47-5
Career Bowl Record: 8-7-1
National Champions: 1963, 1969, 1970
SWC Champions: 1959, 1961-63, 1968-73, 1975
Selected as Coach of the Year in 1961 and 1963.
Elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.