This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I don't recall when I first met Ron McBride. He came to Utah with the Wayne Howard coaching group in 1977. Another of Howard's assistants was Wayne "Jugi" Hogue. When I joined KSL in 1977, Hogue's wife, Clara, was assigned to me as a part-time secretary. She became my full-time assistant for the next 22 years. I don't know what assistant coaches earned in those days, but I suspect we paid Clara more than the university paid her husband.
I met Ron and his wife, Vickie, through Clara and Wayne Hogue, although those first meetings were brief and casual. Clara told me often how much Ron and Vickie liked Utah and its people.
A dozen years later, McBride applied for the head coaching job at the University of Utah. Clara asked if I would write a letter in support of his candidacy. She knew that if Mac became coach, her husband would have an opportunity to get back into coaching, something he enjoyed much more than what he had been doing since the McBrides left Utah after Wayne Howard "retired" in 1981.
When Mac was appointed head coach, I went to the press conference at Clara's urging. As it ended, Vickie whispered to Ron, "Be sure to thank Don Gale for the letter." Ron started across the room in the opposite direction. Vickie said, "No, he's over there," and pointed Mac in my direction.
We became good friends. He virtually adopted my son — always calls him "Gage." They played golf. Ron offered advice in his inimitable fashion.
Over the next decade and more, Ron McBride salvaged Utah football. He beat BYU for the first time in years — not once, but six times. In the process, Mac became close friends with BYU coach LaVell Edwards. The two did a memorable commercial together, played golf together, and helped raise funds for local charities. McBride took the Utes to their first bowl game in 28 years. He placed Utah players on professional teams year after year. He was the force behind the first stadium improvement in decades, providing the first steps toward building the Olympic Stadium.
But Ron McBride is more than a coach. He's a friend, mentor, and teacher. In his few years here, Mac has attended more missionary farewells, weddings, family funerals, baby christenings, and family baptisms than most Utahns attend in a lifetime. His powerful influence saved more than one young man from death or prison. On recruiting trips, he ventured into areas most coaches fearfully avoid.
He once told me he was awake nights worrying about whether one of his recruits would be able to stay out of trouble. That young man is now a star in the NFL, sharing some of his rewards with others who need help.
There's a story with a ring of truth about Utah basketball players — those on the team that went to the national finals. When asked who was their favorite coach, they did not name a basketball coach; they named Ron McBride. They said McBride knew their parents, their girlfriends, how they were doing in school, and what most interested each of them.
One cannot talk about Ron McBride without understanding the vital role Vickie plays. She is more than a companion; she's his alter ego. She loves Utah and its people as much as Ron does. She is involved in the community, and she makes sure Mac is involved in more than athletics.
McBride was forced out at the University of Utah, but he and Vickie kept their Utah home. He returned to rescue the football program at Weber State University. My wife and I went to a game not long ago. As we arrived, Mac was expressing his displeasure with the team in typical coach's language.
My wife said: "I want to say hello." "This is not a good time," I said, and we proceeded to our seats. I marveled at the old coach's focus, his dedication, his love of the game, and mostly his love of those young men. We could all use more Ron McBrides in this challenging life.
Earlier this year, I ran into LaVell Edwards at lunch. He said: "When are you people at Utah going to give Ron McBride the honor he deserves?"
A good question.
Don Gale has a Ph.D. from the University of Utah, where he was president of the Alumni Association and chair of the National Advisory Council.