By Michael Butler

Howard Tippett had a choice to make, take the ‘easy road’ or face suspension. The year was 1953 and Tippett was a senior at Tallassee High School. Not even knowing what the easy road option would be, he picked it, like most teenagers would.

Tippett’s mother had been called to the school for the disciplinary measure by THS principal Clyde “Hard Board” Pruitt, who gave the student a directive, ‘grab your ankles.’

“He had a wooden board with a handle about an inch thick,” Tippett remembered. “The first lick brought tears to my eyes. On the second lick, my butt was burning like mad. After the third lick, my mother said, ‘I’m glad you did that Mr. Pruitt because if you hadn’t his dad would’ve.’”

Corporal punishment was common in the 1950s, even for “sassing,” Tippett’s offense towards a teacher.

Tippett is 90 today and resides in Tampa, Fla. Although that classroom memory is distant, it is still fresh to Tippett, like the fondness for his hometown. That upbringing helped mold him into a successful coach, who spent four decades in the profession, primarily in the NFL and college ranks.

“I loved my city. I always said if Tallassee had a college or pro football team, I would’ve moved back.”

Tippett’s family was a big part of Tallassee. His parents operated the Hotel Talisi, originally known as the Woodall Hotel in its early days. His mother Lillian was the head dietician at Community Hospital. His father Lloyd was police chief and was elected mayor four times, serving from 1964-73.

“When he was the mayor, he had no taxes and a balanced budget. That’s what he ran on and won every time.”

Tippett lettered in football, basketball and baseball at Tallassee, playing for legendary coach John Edward “Hot” O’Brien.

“He coached all three,” Tippett recalled. “He was like a second father to me. He was a great man, a great coach.”

The team captain and quarterback learned an important lesson from O’Brien that he carried with him through his own coaching career.

“We had a fourth down play. Coach O’Brien sent the play in. All the guys were saying, ‘Don’t call that play.’ Doug Caldwell was a great fullback. He said let’s do 27 jump pass. I’ll catch it and we’ll make a first down. I said okay. I threw the ball out in the flat and Doug dropped the ball.

“After the game, all the guys got dressed and were gone. I got dressed and was fixing to walk out. Coach O’Brien said, ‘Howard, I want to talk to you.’

“He sat me down and said, ‘Number one, when the coach tells you something, you do it.’ And, he said, ‘If you’re going to be the leader of this football team, then you’ve got to lead. You can’t listen to these other guys. How many guys have ducked out on you?’ I said, I’m the only one here. That stuck with me.”

After high school, Tippett almost went to Alabama.

“I always pulled for Alabama,” he said. “I had an uncle who went to law school there. I had an opportunity to go on a scholarship. I went up there in the summer and met a girl. She went to East Tennessee. Like a crazy, young guy, I followed her. I think we broke up after the first semester, but there I was.”

Tippett made the most of his time in Johnson City, lettering in football and baseball and serving as a team captain. He was named “most popular male student” as well.

Of all his accolades, one stands out the most, his induction into the Tallassee High School Hall of Pride, an honor bestowed to him in 2022.

“It’s the most prestigious award I’ve ever gotten. And that’s the truth from my heart. I’m a Tallassee boy and can’t get that out of my system.”

Tippett spent 13 years as a college assistant at Tulane, West Virginia, Houston, Wake Forest, Mississippi State, Oregon, California and UCLA.

He was an assistant with Bobby Bowden at West Virginia under Jim Carlen in 1966 and returned when Bowden took over for Carlen as head coach in 1970.

John Atonik wrote about the reunion of Tippett with Bowden at WVU.

“Bowden hired Houston linebacker coach Howard Tippett to coordinate the defense. He was responsible for devising a defensive strategy that had taken into account Carlen’s preference for smaller, quicker-type linemen similar to what Bear Bryant was using at Alabama. Not a single West Virginia defensive lineman in 1970 weighed more than 220 pounds.”

His 22 years in the professional ranks included NFL stints at Tampa Bay, Green Bay, Los Angeles (Rams), Detroit and St. Louis (Rams).

Tippett’s first NFL position came at the age of 43 with Coach John McKay in Tampa. In a UPI archives story written on Jan. 27, 1981, McKay spoke of the hire.

“We’re pleased to be able to add Howard to our staff,” said McKay. “He has an outstanding coaching background and will fit in well with our organization.”

Tippett was quoted in ’81 about getting the job.

“Naturally I’m anxious to begin my association with a developing, young NFL team. “John McKay is a legend in most of the places I’ve been.”

Tippett was a college scout and defensive assistant in St. Louis during the twilight years of his career and on staff for the Super Bowl title in 1999.

“It’s hard to get there and win it. That was the thrill of a lifetime. Here’s a boy from Tallassee, Alabama and I’m in the Super Bowl and we win. It’s something you dream about.”

Tippett and his wife of 32 years, Julie, still keep up with football but mostly from their living room.

“I don’t go to the Buc games anymore. Being a coach, it’s just hard to sit up in the stands. Some lady’s telling you what they ought to be doing. I enjoy myself on the couch on football days.”

The Tippetts have a daughter and now a grandson.

“I’ve got a grandchild for the first time and I’m 90. I’ve finally got a boy in the family.”

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