Jack Mildren
Encyclopedia
Larry Jack Mildren a native Texan, was an All-American quarterback
at The University of Oklahoma in his college years, and professional football player
with the Baltimore Colts and New England Patriots, an oil company owner, was elected as the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
, and enjoyed a career as a successful bank executive in Oklahoma
.
" going back to his quarterbacking days at the University of Oklahoma
(1969–71). Introduced at OU in 1970 by Mildren's coach, Chuck Fairbanks
, the success of "The Bone" depended on a quarterback
with a rare combination of quickness, strength and intelligence. Posting a mediocre 6-4 record in Mildren's sophomore year and off to a lackluster 2-1 start in 1970
, Fairbanks' Sooners
installed the option offense during the two-week period between a 23-14 home loss to Oregon State
and the annual Red River Rivalry clash against arch-rival Texas
. Despite losing 41-9 to the Longhorns (who had run the wishbone to a national title the previous season), the Sooners
quickly turned their season around, going 5-2-1 after the gutsy switch, and also ushered in a period of rushing dominance seldom seen before or since.
Mildren set records in his 1971
senior season that have since been exceeded. The Sooners posted an 11-1 record, with the wishbone averaging a remarkable 472.4 yards rushing per game. Mildren set records for most rushing yards in a season (1,140; 1971), most career touchdown passes (25), and season passing efficiency (209.0; 1971) record. That same season, OU fell just short of a national championship, losing 35-31 in Norman, Oklahoma
to eventual champ Nebraska
in what was billed as the Game of the Century. The defending national champion Cornhuskers gambled defensively by taking halfback Greg Pruitt
out of the action and forcing Mildren to defeat them virtually on his own.
n quarterback and Academic All-American his senior season. He was also named the 1972 Sugar Bowl
MVP after the Sooners' 40-22 victory over the Auburn
, a game OU led 31-0 at halftime. Mildren's 1971 single-season record for yards rushing by a quarterback of 1140 would be broken three seasons later by Freddie Solomon
.
for the Baltimore Colts
and New England Patriots
.
. In 1994, Mildren was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Oklahoma, losing to Republican Frank Keating by approximately 17% of the popular vote (in a three-way race; narrowly coming in second place against independent gubernatorial candidate Wes Watkins, who would eventually become a GOP Congressman). Although Mildren was at first the frontrunner in the Governor's race, 1994 was a strong year for the Republican party while President Bill Clinton was controversial and resulted in the Republican landslide of 1994 which included the takeover of both houses of the U.S. Congress.
- Oklahoma's oldest radio station - which is an all-sports radio station in Oklahoma City
. He was also a regular contributor on WWLS The Sports Animal, having a regular segment with Al and Jim (The Total Dominance Hour).
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...
at The University of Oklahoma in his college years, and professional football player
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...
with the Baltimore Colts and New England Patriots, an oil company owner, was elected as the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
, and enjoyed a career as a successful bank executive in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
College Football standout at OU
In football, Mildren is perhaps best known as the "Godfather of the WishboneWishbone formation
The wishbone formation, also known simply as the ’bone, is an offensive formation in American football. The style of attack to which it gives rise is known as the wishbone offense...
" going back to his quarterbacking days 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...
(1969–71). Introduced at OU in 1970 by Mildren's coach, 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....
, the success of "The Bone" depended on a 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...
with a rare combination of quickness, strength and intelligence. Posting a mediocre 6-4 record in Mildren's sophomore year and off to a lackluster 2-1 start in 1970
1970 college football season
The 1970 college football season was marked by tragedy, due to two airplane crashes. On October 2, one of the planes carrying the Wichita State football team crashed on the way to a game against Utah State, killing 31 people on board, including 14 players...
, Fairbanks' Sooners
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...
installed the option offense during the two-week period between a 23-14 home loss to Oregon State
Oregon State Beavers football
The Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in NCAA Division I-A college football. The team first fielded an organized football team in 1893 and is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. The head coach is Mike Riley, with Danny Langsdorf as the offensive...
and the annual Red River Rivalry clash against arch-rival Texas
Texas Longhorns football
The Texas Longhorns football program is the intercollegiate football team representing The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas. The team currently competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big 12 Conference which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National...
. Despite losing 41-9 to the Longhorns (who had run the wishbone to a national title the previous season), the Sooners
Sooners
Sooners is the name given to settlers in the midwest of the United States who entered the Unassigned Lands in what is now the state of Oklahoma before President Grover Cleveland officially proclaimed them open to settlement on March 2, 1889 with the Indian Appropriations Act of 1889...
quickly turned their season around, going 5-2-1 after the gutsy switch, and also ushered in a period of rushing dominance seldom seen before or since.
Mildren set records in his 1971
1971 college football season
The 1971 college football season saw Coach Bob Devaney's Nebraska Cornhuskers repeat as national champions. After being ranked 2nd in the preseason poll, Nebraska captured first place the following week and remained there for the rest of 1971 and won the Orange Bowl 38–6 in a #1 vs...
senior season that have since been exceeded. The Sooners posted an 11-1 record, with the wishbone averaging a remarkable 472.4 yards rushing per game. Mildren set records for most rushing yards in a season (1,140; 1971), most career touchdown passes (25), and season passing efficiency (209.0; 1971) record. That same season, OU fell just short of a national championship, losing 35-31 in Norman, Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the...
to eventual champ 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...
in what was billed as the Game of the Century. The defending national champion Cornhuskers gambled defensively by taking halfback Greg Pruitt
Greg Pruitt
Gregory Donald Pruitt is a former American football running back in the NFL from 1973 through 1984. He was selected to five Pro Bowls, four as a member of the Cleveland Browns and one as a member of the Los Angeles Raiders, the last one as a kick returner...
out of the action and forcing Mildren to defeat them virtually on his own.
All-America Honors
Mildren was named both All-AmericaAll-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n quarterback and Academic All-American his senior season. He was also named the 1972 Sugar Bowl
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Sugar Bowl has been played annually since January 1, 1935, and celebrated its 75th anniversary on January 2, 2009...
MVP after the Sooners' 40-22 victory over the Auburn
Auburn Tigers football
Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the...
, a game OU led 31-0 at halftime. Mildren's 1971 single-season record for yards rushing by a quarterback of 1140 would be broken three seasons later by Freddie Solomon
Freddie Solomon
.Freddie Solomon , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1975 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 184-lb. wide receiver from the University of Tampa, Solomon played in 11 NFL seasons for the Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers from 1975 to 1985...
.
Pro Football years
After his collegiate days, Mildren joined the ranks of the pros for three seasons, playing defensive backDefensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
for the Baltimore Colts
History of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
and New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
.
Political Career
In 1990, Mildren was elected the 22nd Lieutenant Governor of OklahomaLieutenant Governor of Oklahoma
The Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma is the second-highest executive official of the state government of Oklahoma. As first in the gubernatorial line of succession, the Lieutenant Governor becomes the new Governor of Oklahoma upon the death, resignation, or removal of the Governor...
. In 1994, Mildren was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Oklahoma, losing to Republican Frank Keating by approximately 17% of the popular vote (in a three-way race; narrowly coming in second place against independent gubernatorial candidate Wes Watkins, who would eventually become a GOP Congressman). Although Mildren was at first the frontrunner in the Governor's race, 1994 was a strong year for the Republican party while President Bill Clinton was controversial and resulted in the Republican landslide of 1994 which included the takeover of both houses of the U.S. Congress.
Career in Banking
Mildren served as the Vice-Chairman for the Arvest Bank Group, and as an announcer for Jox 930 WKYWKY
WKY is a radio station located in Oklahoma City and is under ownership of Cumulus Media.WKY is the oldest radio station in Oklahoma, the 28th-oldest in the nation and the third-oldest west of the Mississippi River...
- Oklahoma's oldest radio station - which is an all-sports radio station in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
. He was also a regular contributor on WWLS The Sports Animal, having a regular segment with Al and Jim (The Total Dominance Hour).