Former Texas coach Fred Akers, who was tasked with replacing the legendary Darrell Royal as the head coach of the Longhorns, died on Monday, the school announced. He was 82.
After serving as an assistant to Royal from 1966 to 1975, Akers got his first head coaching job at Wyoming. After going 8-4 and leading the Cowboys to the Fiesta Bowl, Akers returned to Austin when Royal retired following the 1976 season.
Over the next 10 years, Akers went 86-31-2 in Austin. In 1977, his first season at the helm, he eschewed Royal's famed Wishbone attack for the I formation to feature star running back Earl Campbell.