
Darrell Royal is a name that resonates with passion and excellence in American college football. As a celebrated gridiron football player and coach, Royal made significant contributions to the sport, especially during his tenure as head football coach at the University of Texas. Known for pioneering the wishbone offense, he led the Longhorns to three national championships, transforming them from a struggling team to a powerhouse in college football.
His career, defined by a remarkable 184–60–5 record, continues to inspire fans and athletes alike. Born into humble beginnings in Hollis, Oklahoma, Royal rose to greatness through dedication and skill. In this post, we will explore his life, career, and legacy, as well as provide insights into his personal life and net worth.
Who is Darrell Royal?
Darrell Royal was a famous American football player and coach. He grew up in Hollis, Oklahoma, during a tough time called the Depression. He played football for the University of Oklahoma from 1946 to 1949. Later, he became a coach and worked at Mississippi State University, the University of Washington, and most famously, the University of Texas.
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He was the head coach of the Longhorns starting in 1957, and he helped them win many games. He is best known for creating a new way of playing called the wishbone offense. This helped his team win three national championships and 11 Southwest Conference titles. Darrell Royal was very successful and is remembered as one of the best college football coaches.
Quick Info
Born | July 6, 1924, Hollis, Oklahoma |
Died | November 7, 2012, Austin, Texas |
Position(s) | Quarterback, defensive back |
Overall | 184–60–5 (college) |
Bowls | 8–7–1 |

Early Life, Parents and Education of Darrell Royal
Darrell Royal was born on July 6, 1924, in Hollis, Oklahoma. His parents were Burley Ray Royal and Katy Royal. Darrell grew up during a time called the Depression, which was very hard for many families. Despite the challenges, he loved playing sports, especially football. He went to high school in Hollis and became really good at football.
After high school, he went to the University of Oklahoma. There, he played football from 1946 to 1949. Darrell was not very tall, only 5’9″, but he played with a lot of heart and skill. His hard work in school and on the field helped him become a great player and later, a fantastic coach.
Darrell Royal Career
Darrell Royal’s career in football began after he finished playing at the University of Oklahoma. He started as an assistant coach, learning the ropes and gaining experience. In 1954, he became the head coach at Mississippi State University. He later moved to the University of Washington in 1956. However, his most famous job was at the University of Texas, where he became the head coach in 1957.
At Texas, Royal made a big impact by creating a new way to play called the wishbone offense. This strategy helped his team win many games. Over his 20-year career at Texas, he won three national championships and 11 Southwest Conference titles. His coaching style and new ideas changed the game of football and left a lasting legacy.
Height, Weight, Age, and Figure
Darrell Royal was born on July 6, 1924, which made him 88 years old when he passed away on November 7, 2012. He was 5 feet 9 inches tall, which is about average height. He weighed around 70 kilograms, which is about 154 pounds.

Darrell was known for being a strong and skilled football player, even though he wasn’t the biggest person on the field. His dedication and hard work helped him succeed both as a player and as a coach. Darrell Royal’s achievements in football show that size doesn’t always matter as long as you have the passion and talent for the game.
Darrell Royal Girlfriend/ Wife
Darrell Royal was married to Edith Royal. They got married in 1944 and stayed together for a long time. Edith was very supportive of Darrell’s career in football. She stood by him through all the games and championships. Edith also helped him with many things off the field. They had a strong and loving relationship.
Darrell and Edith had three children together named David Wade Royal, Mack Royal, and Marian Royal Kazen. The family shared many happy moments and memories. Edith played an important role in Darrell’s life, helping him balance his work as a football coach and his family life. Their love and support for each other made their relationship special.
Before Fame and Famous Reason
Before Darrell Royal became famous, he was just a kid who loved sports. He grew up in a small town called Hollis in Oklahoma. His family didn’t have much money because times were hard. But Darrell always found joy in playing football. When he went to high school, he joined the football team and showed everyone how good he was.
After high school, he went to the University of Oklahoma and played football there. People started to notice his skills and hard work. He wasn’t very tall, but he played with a lot of heart. This helped him become a great player. Eventually, he turned his love for the game into a successful coaching career, changing the way football was played.
Ethnicity and Nationality
Darrell Royal was an American football coach and player. He was born in Hollis, Oklahoma, and grew up there. This means he was from the United States. His family was of white ethnicity. Growing up in Oklahoma, he loved playing sports and worked very hard to become good at football.
Later, he went to college at the University of Oklahoma and became a famous coach in Texas. Even though he traveled a lot for his job, Darrell Royal was always proud of his roots in Oklahoma. His nationality was American, and he made many people in his country proud with his achievements in football.
Religion and Net Worth of Darrell Royal
Darrell Royal believed in Christianity. His faith was important to him and helped guide him through life. Even though he was very busy with football, he always tried to live by his beliefs. Darrell Royal was also very successful in his career. Over the years, he earned a lot of money as a football coach. When he passed away, his net worth was about $5 million.
This means he had a lot of money saved up from his hard work. Despite his success, he always remembered his humble beginnings in Hollis, Oklahoma. His achievements in football and his strong faith made him a respected and admired person.
Legacy and Future Plains
Darrell Royal’s impact on football is still felt today. He changed the way the game is played by inventing the wishbone offense. Many coaches and teams still use parts of his strategy. His success at the University of Texas made him a legend, and he is remembered as one of the best coaches in college football history. The stadium where the Longhorns play is even named after him—Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

This shows how much he meant to the team and the fans. Looking ahead, Darrell Royal’s ideas and methods will continue to influence new generations of football players and coaches. His legacy lives on in the sport he loved, inspiring others to strive for greatness just like he did.
Interesting Facts About
- Darrell Royal liked to play football when he was young.
- He was not very tall for a football player, only 5’9″.
- He played football at the University of Oklahoma from 1946 to 1949.
- Darrell created a special way to play called the wishbone offense.
- He was the head coach of the University of Texas starting in 1957.
- Darrell Royal helped his team, the Longhorns, win three national championships.
- He won 11 Southwest Conference titles with his team.
- The stadium where the Longhorns play is named after him: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
- He was married to Edith Royal, and they had three children together.
- Darrell Royal loved playing and coaching football very much.
Conclusion
Darrell Royal was a special person who loved football and worked hard to be one of the best. He came from a small town and a family that didn’t have much money, but he never gave up on his dreams. As a coach, he came up with new ideas that helped his team win many important games.
He made the University of Texas Longhorns very strong and helped them win championships. Even though he was not very tall, he showed that hard work and passion are more important. He was also a loving husband and father. Darrell Royal’s life story teaches us that anyone can achieve great things if they work hard and believe in themselves.
FAQs
Q: Where was Darrell Royal born?
A: Darrell Royal was born in Hollis, Oklahoma.
Q: What was Darrell Royal known for?
A: He was known for being a great football coach and for creating the wishbone offense.
Q: How many national championships did Darrell Royal win?
A: He won three national championships.
Q: How tall was Darrell Royal?
A: He was 5 feet 9 inches tall.
Q: What team did Darrell Royal coach the longest?
A: He coached the University of Texas Longhorns the longest.
Q: Was Darrell Royal married?
A: Yes, he was married to Edith Royal.
Q: How many children did Darrell Royal have?
A: He had three children: David Wade Royal, Mack Royal, and Marian Royal Kazen.
Q: What was Darrell Royal’s net worth?
A: His net worth was about $5 million when he passed away.