The speakers at today’s public memorial service for the late Hall of Fame football coach Earle Bruce at Ohio State’s St. John Arena remembered a man who was the consummate teacher, mentor, and father-figure. Former OSU and NFL cornerback William White said of his former coach, “Him and coach Tressel, they’re like my second dad. They recruited me ... they’ve always been a part of my life. This was very meaningful to me. He was a great guy.”
That familial spirit that White still holds for Bruce— and Jim Tressel who was an assistant under Bruce— was also felt by the former 2002 National Championship-winning head coach himself.