I
BLANTON COLLIER
Head Football Couch
(Five Years — Won 27, Lost 2`I, Tied 2)
! A quietanannered native Kentuckian who is widely regarded at
y all levels of the game as one of football's most brilliant tacticians and
{ finest gentlemen, Blanton Long Collier is a man of unique background
1 and the personification of a patient, thorough teacher.
( \Vitl1 only five years in the collegiate coaching ranks behind him,
the popular \*\r’ildcat mentor might be considered a novice to the un-
informed. But to his fellow mentors throughout the country, who know
the facts of his background and football philosophy, he is held in the
highest respect and already has been accorded "Coach of the Year"
honor in the tough Southeastern Conference.
A great many, both in the profession and out, feel that Kentucky
( is fortunate to have the services of one of the keenest minds in the grid
Q sport who needs only a few more "tools of the trade" (outstanding play-
’ ers) to boost the \Vildcats to the top. Although his hrst Hve Kentucky
elevens have not reached the Southeastern Conference throne room or
i taken part in post—season bowl activity, both University officials and the
J "Man In The Street" are solidly behind Collier and the program he
, directs with hard—working efficiency. Illustrative of this confidence is
, 1 _ the new contract that the coach was awarded following the 1958 cam»
1 paign, extending his services to Feb. 1, 1965.
4 \Vhen Collier gave up the security of his position as backlield coach
, and chief aide to fabulous Paul Brown of the perennial world pro cham-
pion Cleveland Browns to take over the reins at his home—state univer-
*   sity in 1954, he fulfilled a life-long ambition and climaxed a unique rise
; g in the coaching game. He became a college coach for the first time after
l nearly a quarter-century in the profession of tutoring football.
y f Born in Millersburg, liy., july 2, 1906, and brought up in Paris,
  ,, liy., only 17 miles from the University campus, Collier began his ath—
I y letic career at Paris High School by playing both football and basket-
A ball. Later at Georgetown College, he lettered in both sports. Although
I   not an outstanding gridder because of his lack of size (he weighed only
t 125 pounds then), he nevertheless was regarded as a close student of the
, game and, upon graduation in 1927, was named coach of all sports at
Paris High.
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