The New England Patriots and many in the college football world are in mourning today following the passing of former assistant coach Cleve Bryant. He was 75 years old.
The Patriots confirmed the passing of Bryant and released a statement commending him for his work for the team.
Once a star quarterback at Ohio, Bryant earned all-conference and conference Player of the Year honors for the Bobcats in the 1960s. He left as the school’s all-time leading passer and his career touchdowns record stood from 1969 all the way until 2010.
Bryant went into college coaching in 1977, working as a QBs and WRs coach at Miami (OH) and North Carolina before being hired by the New England Patriots as RBs coach in 1982. It’s no exaggeration to say that Bryant thrived in New England.
During his first two years at the helm, the Patriots were top five in rushing. In 1983, Bryant coached running back Tony Collins to the first and only Pro Bowl of his career.
Then in 1985, Cleve Bryant got to live the dream of being the head coach of his alma mater. His hiring made him only the third African-American head coach of a Division I team in history at the time.
Unfortunately, in five years at the helm the Bobcats couldn’t do much. They went 9-44-2 and had only one season with more than two wins.
Following his dismissal from Ohio, he spent the next 20 years working in college football. He coached wide receivers at Illinois, Texas and North Carolina before becoming an assistant AD for the Longhorns in 1998 and was later promoted to associated AD.
Our hearts go out to Cleve Bryant’s family and loved ones.