The Texas Longhorns lost a beloved member of their family this week as Edith Royal – wife of the late-great Darrell Royal – passed away at the age of 98. Among the many who have offered condolences are Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.
Speaking to Longhorn Network, Sarkisian said that while he never got to speak to Coach Royal himself before his passing in 2012, Mrs. Royal sent him “a wonderful video message” that he keeps and cherishes.
“I did not get to meet Coach Royal,” Sarkisian said. “But I got a wonderful video message from Edith when I first got the job here that I still have.”
Sarkisian highlighted the incredible impact that the Royal family had on the university and the city of Austin, Texas and expressed hope that his team can play a brand of football that the late coach would be proud of.
“The impact that they’ve had here, not only at the University of Texas but in Austin, the impact that Coach Royal had on the game of football itself,” Sarkisian said. “And the fact that I get to sit in the same chair he did is pretty humbling. You know, it’s definitely an honor. Hopefully, we can go out and play a brand of football that he’d be proud of as well.”
The Royals were married in 1944 and were together for nearly 70 years until Coach Royal passed away.
Darrell Royal was hired by the Longhorns in 1957 after stints at Mississippi State and Washington, and went on to become the winningest coach in Texas history. During his 20 years with the team he turned the program into a dynasty, winning 11 conference titles and three national titles (plus one unclaimed title).
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