.jpg) Bruce in 1986 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 8, 1931 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | April 20, 2018 (aged 87) Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1951 | Ohio State |
| Position(s) | Running back |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1953–1955 | Mansfield HS (OH) (assistant) |
| 1956–1959 | Salem HS (OH) |
| 1960–1963 | Sandusky HS (OH) |
| 1964–1965 | Massillon Washington HS (OH) |
| 1966–1971 | Ohio State (assistant) |
| 1972 | Tampa |
| 1973–1978 | Iowa State |
| 1979–1987 | Ohio State |
| 1988 | Northern Iowa |
| 1989–1992 | Colorado State |
| 1994 | Cleveland Thunderbolts |
| 1995–1996 | St. Louis Stampede |
| 2001 | Iowa Barnstormers |
| 2004 | Columbus Destroyers |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 154–90–2 (college) 82–12–3 (high school) 19–25 (AFL) |
| Bowls | 7–5 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 4 Big Ten (1979, 1981, 1984, 1986) | |
| Awards | |
| AFCA Coach of the Year (1979) Big Ten Coach of the Year (1979) 2× Big Eight Coach of the Year (1976, 1977) | |
| College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 2002 (profile) | |
Earle Bruce (March 8, 1931 – April 20, 2018) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Tampa (1972), Iowa State University (1973–1978), Ohio State University (1979–1987), the University of Northern Iowa (1988), and Colorado State University (1989–1992), compiling a career college football record of 154–90–2. At Ohio State, Bruce succeeded the legendary Woody Hayes and won four Big Ten Conference titles. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2002. Bruce returned to coaching in 2001 to helm the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League for a season and also later guided the Columbus Destroyers.