SEC News: SEC Loses A Legend, Remembering Frank Broyles And Doc
Ole Hotty Toddy, like much of the college football world, was saddened by the SEC news about the passing of the legendary Frank Broyles.
Ole Hotty Toddy extends our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to the Frank Broyles and Arkansas athletics families. Few things will strike a chord with any college football from any team like SEC news of the loss of a legend. Frank Broyles was indeed a legendary coach and athletic director. But Frank Broyles was even more than that. He believed in tradition and at Arkansas he had forever found a home.
As a college football fan I appreciate the traditions of college football. Call me old school if you want to. You can even call me sentimental. However, I grew up in a time where there was no internet or even personal computers. Yes, when I was growing up we read newspapers and listened to replays of games on radios. We also drew a lot of college football history, and sports history in general, from listening to stories.
My dad was a die-hard Ole Miss football fan and he loved his Rebels. I can remember him telling story after story on the way to football games. He always talked about the rivalry between Ole Miss coach Johnny Vaught and the other great coaches. Frank Broyles was one of them of course. I can remember listening to him tell the story of the game which ended the series for years.
It was the 1960 game in Little Rock which ended in a suspicious 10-7 win on what was possibly a bad call on a field goal by Ole Miss. Fights broke out between rival fans. They played one more game in the series the following season and then discontinued regular season play until 1981.
There’s More To The Story
Ole Miss Rebels Football
Of course, there is always more to the story. In this case, my dad hated seeing the end of the series because of fan stupidity. He didn’t have to wait long to see another head to head between two great teams and two legendary coaches.
In fact, they met in the 1963 Sugar Bowl where Ole Miss won a 13-7 contest. It was a great story to hear about and my dad must have told it at least a dozen times.
Then possibly his favorite story of all was of a young man named Archie who helped coach Johnny Vaught and the Ole Miss Rebels to a 27-22 victory in the 1970 Sugar Bowl over coach Broyles and the #3 ranked Razorbacks.
My dad had always appreciated a close game when it was between two great coaches. Of course, there were few games between coach Broyles and coach Vaught which weren’t close regardless of where the W fell.
Fast Forward To 2001
My dad was dying from cancer and suffering from the later stages of Alzheimer’s and I was going to Oxford to watch Ole Miss play Arkansas. Of course, that game also included a Manning, Archie’s son Eli. The game was a 7 overtime heart-attack classic which ended in a 58-56 loss to Arkansas.
The next morning I stopped by my parents place to see Doc. He saw me and the first thing he asked about was the game. I remember standing by his bed, holding his hand and telling him “Daddy, we lost to Arkansas 58-56 in 7 overtimes.” His reply, “Well, it looks like Broyles found a way to beat Archie.” Doc died a few weeks later just after football season.
Next: Thank Goodness For Football!
Today we lose a college football legend. A coach, athletic director, and man who revolutionized a university and athletic program. He was a man who made an impact on everyone around him. He made an impact on me from a young age because of the stories I heard my dad tell. Today he made me remember my dad, Doc. WPS for my Arkansas football friends! Always Hotty Toddy!