Bruce in early stages of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease has always been personal to Earle Bruce.
His father and two sisters died from the incurable disease. His brother has it.
On Friday, his daughter Lynn revealed that the former Ohio State coach himself is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
“We’ve known for a while,” she said, “but we’re seeing a change, a little bit more progression. He’s starting to not remember certain dates and things like that.”
Bruce, 86, had a stroke two years ago, which affected his speech. On Saturday, he fell at his home and suffered a small gash on his head, requiring a trip to the hospital, his daughter said.
Bruce is now at a skilled nursing facility. The goal is for him to return home after he completes physical therapy, Lynn said.
“He’s doing pretty good, considering everything,” she said.
For the past decade, Bruce has been active in raising money and awareness of Alzheimer’s. A decade ago, Bruce and his late wife established the Earle and Jean Bruce Alzheimer’s Research Fund at Ohio State. According to the Wexner Medical Center website, the fund has raised more than $1 million for Alzheimer’s research.
Bruce coached the Buckeyes from 1979 to ‘87, succeeding Woody Hayes. His first team went undefeated in the regular season and was denied a national championship when it lost a 17-16 heartbreaker to Southern California in the Rose Bowl.
Bruce had a record of 81-26-1 at Ohio State. He also coached at the University of Tampa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and Colorado State. Bruce’s overall coaching record was 154-90-2. He also was an assistant on the Buckeyes’ 1968 national championship team.
Bruce was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. His protégés include Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, who coached under him at Colorado State.
“Other than my father, that was the most influential man in my life,” Meyer told The Dispatch in 2016. “Every significant decision I’ve made growing up in this profession was with him involved in it. His wife (Jean) and he were the role models for Shelley and me.”
Bruce has become a beloved figure in Columbus. Last year, he was given the rare honor of dotting the “i” in the OSU marching band’s performance of Script Ohio for the Rutgers game.
Lynn Bruce said she appreciates the outpouring of support her family has received.
“He still likes to watch the games and talk football and is still the vibrant, feisty guy he’s always been,” she said. “It’s just you can see the beginnings (of Alzheimer’s). We need to make sure he’s safe. Hopefully, we can do that.”