Grant Teaff
Grant Teaff
================
Full Name and Common Aliases
--------------------------------
Grant Teaff is the commonly used name of Grant E. Teaff.
Birth and Death Dates
-------------------------
Born on August 6, 1929, Grant Teaff passed away on December 7, 2013.
Nationality and Profession(s)
-------------------------------
An American football player and coach, Grant Teaff was a key figure in the development of college football in the United States.
Early Life and Background
---------------------------
Grant Eugene Teaff was born to John Henry and Ola Mae (née Jones) Teaff. He grew up in a small town in Oklahoma, where he developed a passion for sports from an early age. Teaff's athletic prowess earned him multiple letters in football, basketball, and baseball at his high school.
Major Accomplishments
-------------------------
Teaff's coaching career spanned over three decades, during which he guided several college teams to outstanding performances. His most notable achievement was leading Baylor University's football team from 1976 until 1992, accumulating a record of 130 wins, 66 losses, and 3 ties.
Under Teaff's leadership, the Baylor Bears appeared in two bowl games (1981 and 1988) and secured three conference championships. His dedication to player development earned him multiple Coach of the Year awards from various organizations.
Notable Works or Actions
---------------------------
Teaff was an active advocate for youth sports and education, often using his platform to promote positive values among young athletes. His approach focused on fostering a love for the game while emphasizing personal growth and academic achievement.
Throughout his career, Teaff also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ethics in coaching, consistently upholding high standards of conduct and integrity. This dedication earned him recognition as one of the most respected coaches in college football history.
Impact and Legacy
----------------------
Grant Teaff's impact on college football extends far beyond his impressive coaching record. He played a significant role in shaping the sport through his innovative approaches to game strategy, player development, and community engagement. His emphasis on character building and academic excellence raised the bar for coaches across the country.
The National Football Foundation honored Teaff with its prestigious Collegiate Coach of the Year Award in 1988, a testament to his enduring influence on the sport. The College Football Hall of Fame inducted him as one of its members in 2001.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
------------------------------------------
Grant Teaff's legacy is built upon his dedication to the development of young athletes and his commitment to upholding high standards within the coaching profession. His approach to sports, which prioritizes character growth alongside athletic achievement, continues to inspire coaches and players alike.
As a respected figure in college football, Grant Teaff remains widely quoted for his insights on leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. His story serves as an enduring reminder of the transformative power of education, community engagement, and responsible mentorship in shaping the lives of young individuals.
Quotes by Grant Teaff
When the BCS started, a decision was made collectively, as coaches, that the BCS champion would receive our championship and our trophy. It’s as simple as that.
There are some outstandingly qualified minority coaches, and one of the reasons I spoke out is that the ones I came in contact with all wanted a I-A job, as do all of our 10,000 members. Reality says, jump in where you can be successful and see what happens.
When the BCS started, a decision was made collectively, as coaches, that the BCS champion would receive our championship and our trophy. It's as simple as that.
The coaching profession has lost one of its true legends. Though he was best known for winning more football games than any other coach when he retired, Eddie Robinson's impact on coaching and the game of football went far beyond wins and losses. He brought a small school in northern Louisiana from obscurity to nationwide, if not worldwide, acclaim and touched the lives of hundreds and hundreds of young men in his 57 years at Grambling. That will be his greatest legacy.
The I-A coordinator jobs, in the last four or five years, primarily in the upper echelons, have escalated greatly (in salary). On the other hand, it's not all about the money. It's about opportunity. I don't think whether the salary is the same as a coordinator or not should deter people from considering it.
I can assure you when I was coaching, if I knew anything I sure as heck told the NCAA, because we were suffering at the hands of those who weren't doing it by the rules. I did not hesitate because investigators come around and ask you all these questions. Did you know about this? So if you don't give them the facts, you jeopardize yourself.
I rather think that just from the discussion I've heard there will be at least an analysis of the way the NFL does it, ... We have never had a propensity to do thing the way of the NFL, but that doesn't mean they don't at times do it the best way.
It never ceases to amaze me to see the contributions student-athletes make to their communities, ... Often times, these young men are better known for the good things they do on the field. The AFCA is proud to recognize these student-athletes for the good things they do in their communities.
It made it tough for everybody no matter where they were. One was a conference signing period and the other was the national signing period. Even after a kid had signed his letter-of-intent for the conference, schools could just wait around and start recruiting that player because they really only had one school to beat. It wasn't a binding letter like the national one.