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Bob Devaney

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Football Coach

The Resume

    (April 13, 1915-May 18, 1997)
    Football Coach--University of Wyoming (1957-61), University of Nebraska (1962-72)
    Coach of two national champions at Nebraska (1970-71)
    Athletic Director, University of Nebraska (1967-93)
    National Collegiate Football Hall of Fame member (1981)

Why he might be annoying:

    His name is constantly mispronounced (rhymes with fanny).
    Stories of his drinking and carousing in Nebraska and Wyoming are legend.
    He once rolled a car with his coaching staff inside down an embankment. He then lied to Wyoming officials to avoid punishment (he claimed he tried to avoid hitting a deer).
    His autobiography is a rambling mess.
    He went to college at Alma College, and still owed them money when he graduated.
    He dumped Wyoming when the Nebraska job opened up.
    He was hired at Nebraska only after Duffy Daugherty of Michigan State turned it down.
    He didn't treat Tom Osborne very well when he first hired him as an assistant, and would only hire him if he accepted no salary.
    When Osborne became a success, he was largely forgotten outside of the state of Nebraska.
    He once threatened to sue a magazine for describing him as being short, dumpy and unattractive. He didn't, because 'they had one thing in their favor--they were right.'
    Despite his carousing, his wife stayed with him, and they remained happily married until his death.

Why he might not be annoying:

    The basketball/indoor track facility that bears his name was paid for through a cigarette tax; no school funds were used.
    He was one of the first coaches to pursue a passing attack at a primary weapon.
    He was a marvelous public speaker, with a wry sense of humor.
    His teams never had racial strife.
    His 1971 Cornhusker team won the Game of the Century over Oklahoma, 35-31, and crushed Alabama 38-6 for his second national title.
    Devaney always praised Osborne, whom he personally chose to succeed him in 1973.
    Because of him, Nebraska is known for more than corn and Charles Starkweather.

Credit: Gregg Moeller


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 17 Votes: 29.41% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 19 Votes: 5.26% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 198 Votes: 41.92% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 89 Votes: 47.19% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 7 Votes: 14.29% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 20 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 9 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 28 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 21 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 30 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 83 Votes: 71.08% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 131 Votes: 52.67% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 151 Votes: 53.64% Annoying