2023- Cleve Bryant football Coach
2023 – Cleve Bryant
Cleve Bryant helped build the Longhorn football program during Coach Mack Brown’s years as head coach, but Cleve made an error in judgment that cost him his job. The media was aware of his indiscretion and chose not to cover his death like other Horns who have passed away.
Still, he should be remembered for the many positive impacts he made, from his collegiate quarterbacking days through years as a respected coach, and ultimately as a top-tier athletic administrator.
Written by Kelly Newell, First V.P. of Creative & Guest Services at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
A special kind of pain is felt when your mentor’s time on earth is through. Cleve Bryant changed my life forever. He knew exactly who I was before I did.
I met Cleve during my time as a student at University of Texas (waaaay back in 2004) – where I was blessed with the opportunity to work for him at Texas Football. To anyone that had the chance to meet Cleve, even just once…his presence was known and felt. He was confident, intelligent, cocky, witty, charming, and sometimes an absolute a**hole. But he was magnetic, a man who valued strong relationships and cared so deeply for the lives of others. Specifically, young men who needed it most.
Cleve was a relationship guy. Getting to observe that from the sidelines was one of the greatest lessons ever taught. He had strong relationships with so many great friends – it’s been a pleasure and honor to see the way he has changed their lives as well. I met two of my best friends through Cleve. For whatever reason, Cleve knew that the three of us were special and he made us feel that. He believed in all our talents – all different, but all valid. He would drive us constantly to strive to be better, break boundaries, push ourselves to new heights. We saw him interact with the players this way – but that was his job. He didn’t have to invest in us, but he did. That’s who he was.
Cleve was adamant that I follow my passion and was going to do whatever it took to make it happen. So much so that the sole reason I’m at the Cotton Bowl is because of him. He made one phone call to my now boss and said “Hire her,” and they did. Why? Not because of me. It was because of him. They respected him so much that they took a chance on me. Life changed.
His passing brings a tailspin of sadness. Grieving the loss of his earthly presence but also grieving the idea that more memories won’t be made, or lessons won’t be taught. Through the blurriness of pain, what I can define is that Cleve’s lessons live on. A true mentor never dies. We’ve all been blessed with the treasures he’s left behind. His wisdom and voice will never die.
Today our family is among those mourning the passing of the great Cleve Bryant, a quarterback, quarterback coach, head coach, and administrator who stood on the front lines. We celebrate your accomplishments and your story.
Institutional change isn’t magic and it’s not mysterious. Institutional change happens because brave individuals like Cleve Bryant take big and small steps that push organizations forward with their grit, talent, unflappable courage, and conviction that what’s right is right.
Sometimes these actions are behind the scenes, away from the lights, in obscurity, where change is often the hardest to achieve.
Rest in peace, Coach Bryant. We won’t forget your name.
#quarterback #sports #equity
Bryant and Coach Brown
