"Our coach was absolutely out of his head. He must have read Bear Bryant's book. We had 78 players out. The first day 35 quit. Twenty quit the second day. We ended with 17 players. It was depressing"

Merlin Olsen’s reflection reveals the intense, sometimes punishing atmosphere of football training during his era. He recalls a coach who was demanding, perhaps to the point of being unreasonable, referencing Bear Bryant, an iconic coach known for his brutally rigorous practices. By stating the coach was “absolutely out of his head,” Olsen suggests astonishment or disbelief at the extremity of their methods. There’s an implication that the coach adopted or even amplified Bryant’s style, taking pride in pushing players beyond reasonable limits in pursuit of a tough, resilient team.

The numbers Olsen gives are stark: 78 players began, but after just one day, nearly half, 35, quit. The ordeal continued on day two, with another 20 leaving. By the end, only 17 remained, a fraction of those who set out. Such attrition points to not only the physical demands, but also mental and emotional strain. The thought of so many dropping out in such a short window conveys a grueling, perhaps even hazardous environment. This wasn’t just about selecting the best athletes; it was survival of those who could withstand the most.

Olsen’s summary, “It was depressing”, is revealing. There’s no pride or sense of accomplishment in breaking down so many teammates; instead, a sense of loss and reflection. It suggests the training crossed a line, damaging morale and perhaps relationships among players. Instead of fostering unity, the approach isolated those who stayed and discouraged the majority. The passage critiques a culture that equates harshness with strength, quietly questioning whether such attrition was necessary or even productive. Olsen’s words speak to the costs of an overly hardline coaching philosophy, emphasizing endurance at the expense of camaraderie and well-being, and leaving a lasting, somber impact on those who lived through it.