COLUMBUS, Ohio — Earle Bruce, the feisty, lovable former Ohio State football coach who coached the Buckeyes from 1979 to 1987, died Friday at the age of 87. Bruce went 81-26-1 in nine seasons leading the Buckeyes, winning four Big Ten titles and five bowl games. A former Ohio State player whose career was ended by injury while playing for the freshman team, Hayes later became an assistant under Woody Hayes. When Hayes was fired after the 1978 season, Bruce was hired from Iowa State to replace the legend. He forged his own lasting legacy. Bruce’s first team in 1979 went 11-1, its only loss in the Rose Bowl. His last team in 1987 went 6-4-1, and Bruce was unceremoniously fired before the Michigan game. With his players wearing headbands with “Earle” written on them, the Buckeyes beat 23-20 in Ann Arbor, and Bruce was carried off the field. That gave…
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