Jim Mackenzie (American football)

James Alexander Mackenzie (January 15, 1930 – April 28, 1967) was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Oklahoma for one season in 1966 before his sudden death the following spring.

Jim Mackenzie
Biographical details
Born(1930-01-15)January 15, 1930
Gary, Indiana, U.S.
DiedApril 28, 1967(1967-04-28) (aged 37)
Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
Playing career
1949–1951Kentucky
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1953–1954Jenkins HS (KY) (assistant)
1955–1956Allen Academy (TX)
1957Missouri (assistant)
1958–1965Arkansas (assistant)
1966Oklahoma
Head coaching record
Overall6–4 (college)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
1966 Big Eight Coach of the Year (AP, UPI)[1]

Early years

A native of Gary, Indiana, Mackenzie played college football at the University of Kentucky for head coach Bear Bryant, and was an assistant coach under Frank Broyles for nine years, one at the University of Missouri and eight at the University of Arkansas.[2]

Oklahoma

After the 1965 season, Mackenzie was hired as the head coach at the University of Oklahoma in December. He succeeded Gomer Jones, a longtime Sooner assistant who had failed to match the success of the legendary Bud Wilkinson, but remained as athletic director.[2] The Sooners' 3–7 record under Jones in 1965 was the worst in program history (until 1996).[3]

In his first season in 1966, Mackenzie led the Sooners to a 6–4 record, defeated rival Texas for the first time in nine years, upset undefeated rival Nebraska on Thanksgiving,[4][5] and was named the Coach of the Year in the Big Eight Conference.[6]

Death

Entering his second season, Mackenzie died at age 37 of a heart attack in late April. He collapsed at his Norman home after returning from a brief recruiting trip to north Texas during a break in spring practice.[7][8][9] He was survived by his wife, Sue Newell, and two children, Katheryn and James, Jr.[10]

Recently departed assistant Homer Rice, the first-year head coach at Cincinnati, turned down the chance to take over for Mackenzie.[11] Assistant coach Chuck Fairbanks, age 33, was promoted to head coach in early May.[12][13]

Head coaching record

College
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding
Oklahoma Sooners (Big Eight Conference) (1966)
1966 Oklahoma 6–44–35th
Oklahoma: 6–44–3
Total:6–4

References
  1. University of Oklahoma. "Oklahoma Sooners head football coaches". University of Oklahoma. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  2. "Mackenzie faces two big problems". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. December 23, 1965. p. 10.
  3. "Coaching 'musical chairs' on". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. December 7, 1965. p. 14.
  4. "Sooners upset Nebraska, 10-9". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. November 25, 1966. p. 13.
  5. "Nebraska loses bid for college crown". The Bulletin. (Bend, Oregon). UPI. November 25, 1967. p. 10.
  6. Van Valkenberg, Jim (December 1, 1966). "Nebraskans lead All-Big 8 team". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. p. 15.
  7. "Sooner coach dies at 37". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. April 28, 1967. p. 3B.
  8. "OU grid coach dies at age 37 of heart attack". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. April 28, 1967. p. 13.
  9. "OU to name grid coach soon". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. May 1, 1967. p. 15.
  10. "Jim Mackenzie, Football Coach At U. of Oklahoma, Dead at 37". The New York Times. United Press International. April 29, 1967. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
  11. Homer Rice (2000). Lessons for Leaders Building a Winning Team From the Ground Up. Longstreet Press.
  12. "Fairbanks hired as Sooner coach". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. May 2, 1967. p. 10.
  13. "Bill Haisten: On 50th anniversary of Jim Mackenzie's death, documentary examines his impact on OU football | OU Sports Extra | tulsaworld.com".
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