Two University of Utah sports icons will be inducted into the newly formed Ring of Honor before the Utes take on the Cal Poly Mustangs.
The first of the two, Ron McBride, is a legendary figure in the history of Utah football, starting in 1977 when he became offensive coordinator. McBride made the move to offensive line coach in 1985, then was promoted to head coach in 1990, holding the position till 2002.
In 13 seasons as head coach, McBride finished with an 88-63 record, leading his teams to six bowl games and producing 21 NFL draft picks.
He was inducted into the Utah Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Utah Sports Hall of Fame a year later.
In 1999, he received the All-American Football Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2005, the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame recognized him for his “outstanding contributions to amateur football.”
Coach Kyle Whittingham talked about his impact on the program as a whole in his weekly press conference.
“Coach Mac was responsible for the resurgence of Utah football and did a phenomenal job recruiting. He got really good players into the program. He was a masterful recruiter. If you asked what Coach Mac’s strength was, it was recruiting, and in college that’s the most important aspect of your job, so you can say he was the best at what was the most important,” Whittingham said. “He had a great rapport with his players; players loved him. He was a passionate coach who loved the game, still coaches to this day, and is still working with kids in the community, helping out where he can, so he’s continuing to be effective.”
Whittingham also spoke of what McBride means to him.
“For me personally, he gave me my first opportunity in Division One football. I’m forever grateful for that. I got my start here at Utah,” Whittingham said. “He was instrumental in my path, very well deserved, obviously deserving of his ring of honor induction that he’s getting this week.”
The latter of the two, Roy Jefferson, also gets his name called on Saturday.
Jefferson, a U of U wide receiver from 1962 to 1964, was a first-team All-American in his senior year of 1964, earned letters for all three seasons, and is remembered as one of Utah’s most outstanding wide receivers.
He was a three-time All-WAC selection and was an alternate captain his senior year. Through his career, Jefferson averaged a little over 16 yards per reception, setting a school record at the time and still ranking among Utah’s top after all these years.
He was drafted by the Steelers in 1965 in the second round and went on to play 12 seasons of pro ball with them, the Colts, and the Redskins. He won a Super Bowl in 1971 with the Colts and was a three-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler.
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