Earle Bruce Infuriated By 1 That Got Away

What's brewing today with the 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes ...

By: Associated Press | NBC4i.com
Published: September 03, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- What's brewing today with the 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes ...

BUCKEYES BUZZ: The years haven't changed Earle Bruce. He can still tell a story with the best of them.

The irascible former Buckeyes coach (1979-87) has clear memories of the last time Ohio State played Navy in football. The year was 1981 when the Buckeyes barely held off the Midshipmen, 31-28, in the Liberty Bowl.

Asked the first thought that popped into his head from that game, Bruce's face scrunched into a grimace and he balled his fists.

"31-28. And I remember (Navy tailback) Napoleon McCallum running up and down the field," Bruce said, his voice rising.

At one point while McCallum was grabbing a pass that he turned into big yardage, Bruce yelled at one of his assistants: "Where is that kid from?" The assistant set his feet to make a quick getaway as he blurted out, "Cincinnati, Ohio."

After the game, Bruce fired three assistant coaches, including current Alabama coach Nick Saban. No reason was given publicly for the firings.

Years later, Bruce was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Inducted in the same class? That Navy running back from Cincinnati.

"I walked up to him and I said, 'You son of a gun! Why did you go to Navy? Why didn't you go to Ohio State?"' Bruce recalled.

Then he hesitated for effect.

With a pained expression on his face, Bruce said McCallum looked at him and said, "Coach, I always WANTED to be a Buckeye."

And that might just explain those unexplained firings.

NOTE THIS: Navy has played Big Ten teams 69 times, putting together a record of 26-40-3. The last time the Midshipmen beat a team from the conference was a 13-12 win at Illinois on Sept. 29, 1979.

AND THIS: The U.S. Naval Academy is being paid $1.45 million to come to Ohio Stadium. Army asked out of its original contract to play at Ohio State on Saturday, and Ohio State desperately looked around for a replacement. Navy was interested but already had an opponent, so Ohio State not only paid off that opponent but also Navy to set up the game.

EYE IN THE SKY: In a change from previous years, defensive line coach Jim Heacock and running backs coach Dick Tressel are moving from the sidelines to the press box during games and linebackers coach Luke Fickell and passing-game coordinator Nick Siciliano are moving down to the field.

Head coach Jim Tressel (Dick's brother) said the changes just made sense.

"Some people feel as if they can see it much better upstairs," he said. "Other people feel as if they need to feel the game from the sideline. I think the (offensive and defensive) staffs did it more on the makeup of their staffs as to who they wanted doing what at this moment."

Siciliano, who has worked closely with QB Terrelle Pryor, may be moving to the field so he can calm the sophomore.

"He's got a tremendous relationship with Terrelle and I think that will be a real positive thing," Tressel said.

Earle Bruce Infuriated By 1 That Got Away

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