Eddie Crowder
Encyclopedia
Eddie Crowder was an American football
player and coach
. He was an All-American quarterback
(QB) and safety at the University of Oklahoma
(OU) in the early 1950s and a successful head coach
and athletic director
(AD) at the University of Colorado
(CU) in the 1960s and 1970s.
He is quoted as saying "Life is boring for someone trying to achieve greatness."
and played quarterback at Muskogee Central High School
, and won the state championship in 1948. He was a member of Oklahoma's first National Football Championship team in 1950, and led Oklahoma to two Big Seven titles as quarterback in 1951 and 1952 and was selected all-conference the same years. Oklahoma was 26–4–1 during the 3 years Crowder was there. He was 61 for 110 (.555) (might be 60 for 109 (.550)) with 11 touchdowns for 1189 (might be 1179) yards passing. He was drafted 9th in the second round (22nd overall) by the New York Giants
in 1953, but declined due to a nerve problem in his throwing arm and served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as quarterback of the Fort Hood team for 1953. His jersey number was 16 and was listed at 6'0" and 170 lbs.
Although selected in the 2nd round of the 1953 National Football League Draft
by the New York Giants
, Crowder went to Canada in 1953 and played the first half of the season with the Edmonton Eskimos, alternating starts at quarterback with Claude Arnold. He was cut by head coach Darrel Royal because of limitations on the number of American players that a team could carry past a certain date. Crowder led the Eskimos to victory in all four of his games, but Royal decided to stick with the veteran Arnold. In a game in Calgary on Sept. 5, Crowder played the full game at quarterback without throwing a single pass; all the passes were thrown by halfbacks Rollie Miles and Billy Vessels. "Easy Ed" was one of many Oklahoma grads to play for the Eskimos in the 1950s.
in 1955 and for Bud Wilkinson
at Oklahoma
from 1956 to 1962. Crowder became the head football coach of the Buffaloes
in 1963 and restored the program's respectability and earned national respect while rebuilding the program. In 1971, his team finished No. 3 in the nation with a record of 10–2, only behind Big Eight
rivals Nebraska
(1) and Oklahoma (2). He currently has the 3rd best record as head coach at Colorado (67–49–2 .576). His teams went to 5 bowl game
s while he was head coach (1967 Bluebonnet (W), 1969 Liberty (W), 1970 Liberty (L), 1971 Bluebonnet (W), 1972 Gator (L)). He assumed the AD duties in 1965, and retired from coaching in 1973. He then hired his replacement, Bill Mallory
(1974–1978), and also hired Chuck Fairbanks
(1978–1981) and most importantly, Colorado's all-time winningest coach Bill McCartney
(93–55–5). He retired from his AD position in 1986. Jim Mora
was a defensive coach for Crowder from 1968–1973.
Crowder lived in Boulder, Colorado
with his wife, Kate, until his death. He maintained ties to both Oklahoma and Colorado football programs, and helped select Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops
and Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins
. He was also a voter in the Harris College Football Poll
. Crowder battled Hodgkin's lymphoma
in 2003.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
. He was an All-American quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
(QB) and safety at the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
(OU) in the early 1950s and a successful head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
and athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
(AD) at the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
(CU) in the 1960s and 1970s.
He is quoted as saying "Life is boring for someone trying to achieve greatness."
Playing career
Crowder was raised in Muskogee, OklahomaMuskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee is a city in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. It is the county seat of Muskogee County, and home to Bacone College. The population was 38,310 at the 2000 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in Oklahoma....
and played quarterback at Muskogee Central High School
Muskogee High School
Muskogee High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Muskogee, Oklahoma. MHS has a steady enrollment of 1,700 students. It is accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association...
, and won the state championship in 1948. He was a member of Oklahoma's first National Football Championship team in 1950, and led Oklahoma to two Big Seven titles as quarterback in 1951 and 1952 and was selected all-conference the same years. Oklahoma was 26–4–1 during the 3 years Crowder was there. He was 61 for 110 (.555) (might be 60 for 109 (.550)) with 11 touchdowns for 1189 (might be 1179) yards passing. He was drafted 9th in the second round (22nd overall) by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1953, but declined due to a nerve problem in his throwing arm and served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as quarterback of the Fort Hood team for 1953. His jersey number was 16 and was listed at 6'0" and 170 lbs.
Although selected in the 2nd round of the 1953 National Football League Draft
1953 NFL Draft
The 1953 National Football League Draft was held on January 22, 1953.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:...
by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Crowder went to Canada in 1953 and played the first half of the season with the Edmonton Eskimos, alternating starts at quarterback with Claude Arnold. He was cut by head coach Darrel Royal because of limitations on the number of American players that a team could carry past a certain date. Crowder led the Eskimos to victory in all four of his games, but Royal decided to stick with the veteran Arnold. In a game in Calgary on Sept. 5, Crowder played the full game at quarterback without throwing a single pass; all the passes were thrown by halfbacks Rollie Miles and Billy Vessels. "Easy Ed" was one of many Oklahoma grads to play for the Eskimos in the 1950s.
Coaching career
He was an assistant head coach for Red Blaik at ArmyUnited States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1955 and for Bud Wilkinson
Bud Wilkinson
Charles Burnham "Bud" Wilkinson was an American football player, coach, broadcaster, and politician. He served as the head football coach at the University of Oklahoma from 1947 to 1963, compiling a record of 145–29–4. His Oklahoma Sooners won three national championships and 14...
at Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners football
The Oklahoma Sooners football program is a college football team that represents the University of Oklahoma . The team is currently a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
from 1956 to 1962. Crowder became the head football coach of the Buffaloes
Colorado Buffaloes football
The Colorado Buffaloes football program represents the University of Colorado at Boulder in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The team is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference, having previously been a charter member of the Big 12 Conference. Before joining the Big 12,...
in 1963 and restored the program's respectability and earned national respect while rebuilding the program. In 1971, his team finished No. 3 in the nation with a record of 10–2, only behind Big Eight
Big Eight Conference
The Big Eight Conference, a former NCAA-affiliated Division I-A college athletic association that sponsored football, was formed in January 1907 as the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association by its charter member schools: the University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University...
rivals Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
(1) and Oklahoma (2). He currently has the 3rd best record as head coach at Colorado (67–49–2 .576). His teams went to 5 bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
s while he was head coach (1967 Bluebonnet (W), 1969 Liberty (W), 1970 Liberty (L), 1971 Bluebonnet (W), 1972 Gator (L)). He assumed the AD duties in 1965, and retired from coaching in 1973. He then hired his replacement, Bill Mallory
Bill Mallory
William G. "Bill" Mallory is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Miami University , the University of Colorado at Boulder , Northern Illinois University , and Indiana University , compiling a career college football record of...
(1974–1978), and also hired Chuck Fairbanks
Chuck Fairbanks
Chuck Fairbanks is a former American football coach, a head coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. The offensive and defensive systems he introduced and helped develop have proven influential in the NFL....
(1978–1981) and most importantly, Colorado's all-time winningest coach Bill McCartney
Bill McCartney
William Paul McCartney is a former American football player and coach and the founder of the Promise Keepers men's ministry. He was the head coach at the University of Colorado from 1982 to 1994, where he compiled a record of 93–55–5 and won three consecutive Big Eight Conference...
(93–55–5). He retired from his AD position in 1986. Jim Mora
Jim E. Mora
James Earnest Mora is the former head coach of the USFL's Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars and the NFL's New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. He played football at Occidental College where he was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. His son Jim L...
was a defensive coach for Crowder from 1968–1973.
Crowder lived in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
with his wife, Kate, until his death. He maintained ties to both Oklahoma and Colorado football programs, and helped select Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops
Bob Stoops
Robert Anthony "Bob" Stoops is the head coach of the University of Oklahoma football team. During the 2000 season, Stoops led the Sooners to an Orange Bowl victory and a national championship....
and Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins
Dan Hawkins (coach)
Dan Hawkins is a sportscaster and former American football player and coach in the United States. He served as the head football coach at Willamette University, Boise State University, and the University of Colorado at Boulder, compiling a career college football record of 112–61–1...
. He was also a voter in the Harris College Football Poll
Harris Interactive College Football Poll
The Harris Interactive College Football Poll is a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football teams. The rankings are compiled by Harris Interactive, a market research company that specializes in Internet research....
. Crowder battled Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma, previously known as Hodgkin's disease, is a type of lymphoma, which is a cancer originating from white blood cells called lymphocytes...
in 2003.
Head coaching record
Awards and honors
- NCAA Division I-A National Champion (OU) 1950
- All-Conference (Big-Seven) 1951, 1952
- All-American, 1952
- Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, 1990
- Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, 2003
- University of Colorado athletic hall of fame, 2004
- FWAA Citation of Honor, 2007