Our Legacy

LOOKING AHEAD

In 2010, Betsy changed the foundation’s name to The Frank and Barbara Broyles Legacy Foundation in honor of both of her parents. Betsy, alongside her daughter, Molly, looked back once again at what they needed during their time as caregivers and steered the foundation into the present day. Now, the foundation provides a full game plan based on their multi-generational approach to serve caregivers in crisis through six main areas: Training and Education, Resource Distribution, Individual and Family Coaching, Advocacy and Awareness, Referral Services, and Resource Distribution, all at no cost to caregivers. The need is greater now than ever and the Broyles Foundation is proud to continue building upon Frank and Barbara’s legacy.

FRANK’S LEGACY

John Franklin Broyles passed on August 14th, 2017 with complications from Alzheimer’s disease. His passion to help caregivers will live on for many years. Amongst all the accomplishments in his “charmed life”, how he changed the level and scope of care for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease with his Playbook and the Broyles Foundation may be his greatest legacy.

BARBARA’S LEGACY

Three generations of the Broyles family came together to care for Barbara and this multi-generational approach shaped the direction the Broyles Foundation would take in assisting and advocating for caregivers. With the popularity of the Playbook, Coach Broyles, his daughter, Betsy, and his granddaughter, Molly, began traveling together across the country to tell their story and to provide the much-needed Playbook to families and eldercare organizations, which also strive to provide compassionate care to those suffering with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

THE PLAYBOOK

As soon as it was published, the Playbook was a hit. In 2007, Coach Broyles raised the funds to print another 500,000 Playbooks to distribute all over the country, and two years later he again raised the necessary funds to print an additional 500,000 Playbooks in English, with an additional 100,000 in Spanish. The Playbook was also translated into 11 languages in an electronic format for people all around the World. To this day, the Broyles Foundation provides caregivers with the Playbook, and supports them with additional services offered at no cost.

THE FOUNDATION

When his wife Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Coach Broyles became her primary caregiver. The experience was so life-changing that, after Barbara passed from the disease, Coach decided he wanted to help other caregivers better understand how to care for someone living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. He asked his daughters, Betsy and Linda, who had been caregivers alongside Coach, to write down everything they could remember on how they took care of Barbara. Working with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Golden Living, 100,000 copies of “Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers” were distributed free-of-charge through pharmacies all over the state of Arkansas. Thus, the Broyles Foundation had been established.

HONORS AND AWARDS

A long list of honors followed Coach’s retirement, including his 1983 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame alongside Darrel Royal and OJ Simpson. More than 30 of his former players and assistant coaches went on to become college or professional coaches, including Barry Switzer, Jimmy Johnson, Joe Gibbs, Hayden Fry, and many others. In 1996, the Broyles Award was established to recognize the top assistant coaches in college football. As a member of Augusta National Golf Club, he presented the winner of The Masters with the green jacket for several years.

RETIREMENT

After spending 50 years at the University of Arkansas, Coach Broyles officially retired as the Athletic Director in 2007. For five decades, Coach Broyles helped define the standard of excellence in intercollegiate athletics. A legendary Head Coach, nationally respected Athletic Director, and goodwill ambassador for his university and state, Coach Broyles’ influence continues to live on today.

CAREER, 1970s

In 1972, he took on dual roles of Head Coach and Athletic Director until he retired from coaching in 1976 with a record of 144-58-5 in 19 seasons with the University of Arkansas. After his retirement, and concurrent with his Athletic Director role, Broyles served as the primary color commentator for ABC Sports television the week’s only televised college football games alongside the legendary Keith Jackson. Broyles and Jackson went on to win an Emmy for their coverage.

THE EARLY YEARS

John Franklin Broyles was born on December 26,1924. He served as head football coach for the University of Missouri in 1957 before accepting the head coaching position for the Arkansas Razorbacks in 1958. He was among the most competitive coaches in the country along with Bear Bryant and Darrel Royal.

Messages on Coach's Passing

For almost sixty years, Frank Broyles has been an indelible part of the University. As our head football coach, and then as our Director of Athletics, Coach Broyles redefined excellence for our athletics programs and, more importantly, impacted the lives of thousands of people.

Joseph E. SteinmetzUniversity of Arkansas Chancellor

This is a day we knew would come, but it is still a great loss to learn of the passing of Coach Broyles. My first memory of Frank was cheering on the Hogs with my dad, but that was just part of his great legacy. He was an Arkansas treasure to devoted his life to others–from student-athletes to his support of Alzheimer’s research. He was an example for young people to follow, and that alone reflects a life well lived.

Asa HutchinsonArkansas Governor

While his main responsibility was the athletic program, Coach Broyles understood and cared deeply about the entire mission of the university. When I was dean of Fulbright College, I greatly appreciated his understanding that the purpose of athletics was to showcase our students – not only the talents of the players, but also the cheerleaders, the marching band and others involved. He saw the big picture and because of that, he and the university had great success during his tenure as coach and athletic director. I’m saddened by his passing, but his legacy will live on for generations.

Donald R. BobbittUA System President

The Razorback Family has lost its patriarch and Arkansas has lost one of its most beloved figures. Coach Frank Broyles was a legendary coach, athletics director, broadcaster and a tireless advocate for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. In his more than 50 years of service to the University of Arkansas and intercollegiate athletics, his vision and leadership allowed the Razorback program to flourish and in turn enrich the lives of thousands of young men...I will forever be grateful for the generosity, graciousness and unwavering support he extended to me when I came to the University of Arkansas. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Razorback nation are with his wife Gen, his children and the entire Broyles Family.

Jeff Long Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics

Few people have had the vision and strength to guide so many. Coach Broyles shook my hand at my first day on the job and has been there for me ever since. The walls that we walk through today as a program were created by the things that he built. Coach Broyles is the standard of leadership in the state of Arkansas and all of college football. His impact on the game will always be felt and will never be forgotten.

Arkansas Head Football Coach, 2018 Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics

I got to know Frank Broyles well in late 1977, his first year as athletic director for the University of Arkansas and my first year as attorney general, when I represented him and Coach Holtz in the well-known and controversial Orange Bowl case which culminated in one of the greatest victories in Arkansas football history. I worked with him throughout my tenure as governor, and we kept in touch afterward. He was a leader of character, intelligence, and determination, and on his watch Arkansas became a leader in many sports. A big part of his legacy came later in his efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer’s and his support for families struggling with it, including his work with the US Senate special committee on Alzheimer’s which Hillary helped to form. I’ll always be grateful to have known him and called him my friend.

Bill Clinton42nd President of the United States

Coach Frank Broyles has helped build the athletic and academic programs at the University of Arkansas and made incredible contributions to the welfare of our beloved institution,” said Gearhart. “His contributions to this university are unparalleled. He has also been a generous personal benefactor to the university and continues to serve on the current campaign committee. He has helped make the University of Arkansas a premier institution of higher learning.

Dave GearhartFormer University of Arkansas Chancellor

I’ve known and observed Coach Broyles since my time as an undergraduate at the university He was one of the most impressive and capable people I’ve ever worked with. During his tenure as a coach, athletic director and fundraiser, Coach Broyles did more to help and support the University of Arkansas than anyone who has ever been associated with the institution. We will miss him.

B. Allen SuggFormer UA System President

Frank Broyles made a lifelong impact on thousands of Arkansas student-athletes and millions of fans and alumni, all who knew him as Coach Broyles, while positively altering the course of the University of Arkansas and the entire state of Arkansas. He fostered a unique loyalty to Arkansas Athletics and promoted the Razorback brand nationwide. As the Razorbacks Athletics Director, he played a significant role in the history of the Southeastern Conference when he guided the transition of Arkansas into the SEC. He was a man of significant accomplishment who charted the course of a preeminent college athletics program for more than five decades and his legacy will continue to impact the University of Arkansas, the

Greg SankeySEC Commissioner

I had the great pleasure of working with Coach Broyles for several years when I first became the SEC Commissioner. His distinguished career speaks for itself and I will always remember his dignified demeanor and contribution to the work of the conference during those years. He was a lifelong ambassador for the University of Arkansas whose legacy will leave a lasting impact on the SEC and college athletics.

Mike SliveFormer SEC Commissioner

Frank Broyles was an institution in the state of Arkansas. What I think endeared him to the people of Arkansas was his loyalty to the state. He had a lot of opportunities to leave as a coach and AD, but he stayed and he always bled Razorback red. He truly WAS Arkansas in that sense. The stadium and all the facilities there are really a monument to Frank and all that he did for the university. He was more than a coach and AD. He was the heart and soul of that university. He was also tremendously loyal to the SEC. He was so proud when Arkansas came into the SEC. He cherished that moment all his life and he believed strongly it was the right move. I think time has proved that correct.

Roy KramerFormer SEC Commissioner

This is an immeasurable loss of a man whose personality and presence touched millions of athletes, students, coaches and fans for more than seven decades—a man whose spirit and impact on lives will continue to be felt for generations to come...He was the singular most important man of sports in the history of the State of Arkansas, and his impact on the game of football across our country was just as significant.

Jerry JonesDallas Cowboys President and General Manager

Frank Broyles had a profound impact on college football as a legendary player, coach, television commentator and administrator. He touched the lives of so many during his years of service to the University of Arkansas as football coach and athletics director. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends.

Nick SabanAlabama Head Football Coach