LEXINGTON, Ky. – Jerry Claiborne, former University of Kentucky football player, assistant coach, and head coach, has been chosen for induction to the CollegeFootball Hall of Fame, Gene Corrigan of the National Football Foundationannounced Friday.
Claiborne will be inducted officially in December at the annual NationalFootball Foundation and Hall of Fame honors dinner in New York City.Claiborne becomes the fifth former Wildcat selected for induction, joiningtackle Bob Gain, quarterback Vito “Babe” Parilli, Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant,and tackle Lou Michaels. A total of 15 players and coaches will be amongthe 1999 class of inductees, including defensive back Frank Loria, whoplayed for Claiborne at Virginia Tech.
“The letter (of notification) came Wednesday and I was tickled. Icouldn’t have been more surprised or excited, no question about that,”Claiborne said. “(Being chosen for) The Hall of Fame never really enteredmy 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 andgood players help me along the way. They’re just as much a part of thisaward as I am.”
Claiborne began his athletics career as a four-sport letterman atHopkinsville (Ky.) High School, playing football, basketball, track, andtennis, 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 theWildcats 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 nineinterceptions in 1949 still stand as the UK single-season record. He alsolettered one year in tennis, a second love he has continued throughout hislifetime.
Claiborne accumulated a 2.7 grade point average (on a 3.0 grading scale)and graduated in 1950 with “High Distinction” in mathematics and physicaleducation. He was named the Outstanding Senior in the College ofEducation. His dedication to academics would be reflected in his coachingcareer.
“All along, I wanted to be a coach,” Claiborne said. “Early on in mycareer, I had the opportunity to work with Coach Bryant and some othergreat coaches.”
Claiborne began his coaching work at Augusta Military Academy in Ft.Defiance, Va. As head football and basketball coach, he won a statechampionship in both sports in only two years.
He entered the collegiate ranks by returning to Kentucky as an assistantunder Coach Bryant. Claiborne eventually spent 10 years as an assistant atKentucky (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 inthe 1966 and 1968 Liberty Bowls. His 1963 team captured the SouthernConference championship and he was named Southern Conference Coach of theYear.
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 waschosen 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 in1982. Claiborne returned to the Commonwealth as head coach of the Wildcatsand took over a program recovering from the effects of probation. Facingthe 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 footballhistory when the 1983 Wildcats went 6-5-1, including a trip to the Hall ofFame Bowl. Claiborne was honored as the Southeastern Conference Coach ofthe Year. Kentucky improved to 9-3 the following season and the Catsnipped Wisconsin in the Hall of Fame Bowl. For seven straight seasons,from 1983 until his retirement following the 1989 season, Kentucky won atleast five games every year. Only Bryant and Claiborne have accomplishedthat feat at Kentucky.
Claiborne retired with a career record of 179-122-8 in 28 seasons as ahead coach, including 11 bowl appearances. Claiborne ended his careerranked 21st in NCAA history with 179 victories. He was named conferencecoach of the year in all three leagues in which he coached.
Always committed to success in the classroom, Claiborne’s players andteams registered numerous academic honors. Four of his Maryland playersand two Wildcats earned Academic All-America honors under Claiborne.Kentucky earned the 1989 Academic Achievement Award, given by the CollegeFootball Association, for having the nation’s highest graduation rate.Claiborne’s 1989 team set a then-Southeastern Conference record by placing17 players on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
“Seeing young people have success after playing football has been the bestpart about my coaching career,” Claiborne said.
Following retirement, Claiborne lived in Lexington for several yearsbefore 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
CoachesJerry Claiborne, Virginia Tech 1961-70 / Maryland 1972-81 / Kentucky 1982-89Don Coryell, Whitter 1957-59 /San Diego State 1961-72Jim Young, Arizona 1973-76 / Purdue 1977-81 / Army 1983-90
PlayersRoss Browner, Notre Dame, DE 1973, 1975-77Chuck Dicus, Arkansas, End 1968-70Chris Gilbert, Texas, RB 1966-68John Hannah, Alabama, OG 1970-72Billy Kilmer, UCLA, TB 1958-60Steve Kiner, Tennessee, LB 1967-69Chuck Long, Iowa, QB 1981-85Frank Loria, Virginia Tech, DB 1965-67Joe Palumbo, Virginia, MG 1949-51Greg Pruitt, Oklahoma, RB 1970-72Herschel Walker, Georgia, RB 1980-82Ed White, California, DL 1965-68
