Jerry Claiborne is one of 15 inductees of the 1999 class.
Jerry Claiborne, who was a player, assistant coach, and head coach at the University of Kentucky, will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Tuesday night at the annual National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame dinner in New York City.
Claiborne is the fifth former Wildcat selected for induction, joining tackle Bob Gain, quarterback Vito “Babe” Parilli, Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, and tackle Lou Michaels. A total of 15 players and coaches will be among the 1999 class of inductees, including defensive back Frank Loria, who played for Claiborne at Virginia Tech.
“When the letter (of notification) came I was tickled. I couldn’t have been more surprised or excited, no question about that,” Claiborne said. “(Being chosen for) The Hall of Fame never really entered my mind, but I am sure happy to be selected.
“I’m not the only one who should be honored. From Coach Bryant to C. M. Newton (current UK director of athletics), I’ve had so many good people and good players help me along the way. They’re just as much a part of this award as I am.”
Claiborne was honored by UK in September when the school hosted the “Jerry Claiborne Hall of Fame Weekend” in conjunction with the home football game against Florida. Several representatives of the UK Athletics Department will attend the dinner tonight, including Senior Associate Athletics Director Larry Ivy, Associate Athletics Directors Kathy DeBoer and Bob Bradley, Coach Hal Mumme, and Administrative Assistant Janetta Owens.
Claiborne began his athletics career as a four-sport letterman at Hopkinsville (Ky.) High School, playing football, basketball, track, and tennis, and earned a scholarship at the University of Kentucky.
“When I was in high school, I just hoped to go to UK,” Claiborne recalled. “I could have jumped the moon when Coach Bryant offered a scholarship.”
Claiborne took full advantage of the opportunity. He earned three letters (1946, 1948-49) as a defensive back, blocking back, and end. He helped the Wildcats compile a 29-12-2 record during his four years at the school, playing in the 1947 Great Lakes Bowl and the 1950 Orange Bowl. His nine interceptions in 1949 still stand as the UK single-season record. He also lettered one year in tennis, a second love he has continued throughout his lifetime.
Claiborne accumulated a 2.7 grade point average (on a 3.0 grading scale) and graduated in 1950 with “High Distinction” in mathematics and physical education. He was named the Outstanding Senior in the College of Education. His dedication to academics would be reflected in his coaching career.
“All along, I wanted to be a coach,” Claiborne said. “Early on in my career, I had the opportunity to work with Coach Bryant and some other great coaches.”
Claiborne began his coaching work at Augusta Military Academy in Ft. Defiance, Va. As head football and basketball coach, he won a state championship in both sports in only two years.
He entered the collegiate ranks by returning to Kentucky as an assistant under Coach Bryant. Claiborne eventually spent 10 years as an assistant at Kentucky (1952-53), with Bryant at Texas A&M (1954-56), Missouri (1957), with Bryant again at Alabama (1958-60), and at Colorado (1971).
Claiborne’s first role as a collegiate head coach came at Virginia Tech. In 10 seasons, he guided the Hokies to a 61-39-2 record and appearances in the 1966 and 1968 Liberty Bowls. His 1963 team captured the Southern Conference championship and he was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year.
Claiborne’s next head coaching stop came at the University of Maryland, where he turned around a struggling program. In 10 seasons, from 1972-81, Claiborne’s Terrapins went 77-37-3 and played in seven bowl games. He was chosen the Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year three times (1973, 1975, 1976) and National Coach of the Year by The Sporting News in 1974.
Another rebuilding job came his way when his alma mater came calling in 1982. Claiborne returned to the Commonwealth as head coach of the Wildcats and took over a program recovering from the effects of probation. Facing the nation’s second-toughest schedule in 1982, the Wildcats went 0-10-1, but the foundation was laid for success.
Claiborne fashioned one of the greatest turnarounds in collegiate football history when the 1983 Wildcats went 6-5-1, including a trip to the Hall of Fame Bowl. Claiborne was honored as the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year. Kentucky improved to 9-3 the following season and the Cats nipped Wisconsin in the Hall of Fame Bowl. For seven straight seasons, from 1983 until his retirement following the 1989 season, Kentucky won at least five games every year. Only Bryant and Claiborne have accomplished that feat at Kentucky.
Claiborne retired with a career record of 179-122-8 in 28 seasons as a head coach, including 11 bowl appearances. Claiborne ended his career ranked 21st in NCAA history with 179 victories. He was named conference coach of the year in all three leagues in which he coached.
Always committed to success in the classroom, Claiborne’s players and teams registered numerous academic honors. Four of his Maryland players and two Wildcats earned Academic All-America honors under Claiborne. Kentucky earned the 1989 Academic Achievement Award, given by the College Football Association, for having the nation’s highest graduation rate. Claiborne’s 1989 team set a then-Southeastern Conference record by placing 17 players on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
“Seeing young people have success after playing football has been the best part about my coaching career,” Claiborne said.
Following retirement, Claiborne lived in Lexington for several years before moving to Bowling Green. He lives in Bowling Green with his wife, Faye. The Claibornes have four children – David, Jonathan, Katie, and Eileen.
THE 1999 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS
Coaches
Jerry Claiborne, Virginia Tech 1961-70 / Maryland 1972-81 / Kentucky 1982-89
Don Coryell, Whitter 1957-59 /San Diego State 1961-72
Jim Young, Arizona 1973-76 / Purdue 1977-81 / Army 1983-90
Players
Ross Browner, Notre Dame, DE 1973, 1975-77
Chuck Dicus, Arkansas, End 1968-70
Chris Gilbert, Texas, RB 1966-68
John Hannah, Alabama, OG 1970-72
Billy Kilmer, UCLA, TB 1958-60
Steve Kiner, Tennessee, LB 1967-69
Chuck Long, Iowa, QB 1981-85
Frank Loria, Virginia Tech, DB 1965-67
Joe Palumbo, Virginia, MG 1949-51
Greg Pruitt, Oklahoma, RB 1970-72
Herschel Walker, Georgia, RB 1980-82
Ed White, California, DL 1965-68
