Dr. Homer Rice, a football coach and college athletics administrator, passed away at the age of 97. He began his career as a high school football coach in East Tennessee in 1951, eventually moving on to coach at the college and professional levels. Rice served as the head coach for the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals for two years and then became the athletic director at Georgia Tech in 1980. During his tenure, the Yellow Jackets won multiple ACC championships and the 1990 football national championship.
Rice is also credited with developing the Total Person Program, which later served as the basis for the NCAA’s Life Skills Program. This initiative focused on the personal development of student-athletes, emphasizing the importance of growth beyond sports. Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera praised Rice for his dedication to helping student-athletes grow as individuals through athletics.
Throughout his career, Rice’s message of the importance of holistic development in student-athletes remained a central focus. His legacy of excellence and commitment to the well-being of athletes continues to be celebrated and recognized in the world of collegiate athletics. Homer Rice leaves behind a remarkable contribution to the field of sports and education.
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