Winning despite bad odds

Some of the best recruiting stories are never told.

When coaches venture into hostile territory in attempts to lure away favorite sons, reactions can be negative – or even violent. I didn’t see the bruises but Doug Dickey’s ace go-getter, Chuck Rohe, was, once upon a time, supposedly shoved off somebody’s front porch.

There was no physical abuse in the recruiting race of ’74 but Gary Wyant endured a spectacular mental tug of war. His primary target was Robert Shaw of Marietta, Ga. The effort required focus, concentration and almost every Friday night of the high school football season.

Wyant had spotted Shaw as a sophomore and convinced the youngster his future was at Tennessee, great tradition, fantastic fans, beautiful part of the world, mountains for a backdrop, river just outside the stadium gates.

For two years, Alabama was on the outside, trying to sell a similar bill of goods. The Crimson Tide had inside advantages. Robert was born in Tuscaloosa. At toddler time, his grandfather established for him the goal of playing for Alabama. The whole Shaw family favored the Tide.

Robert made an early pledge to the Volunteers but pressure mounted in Marietta. Forget it, Robert, you are not going to Tennessee. No way. The father built a barricade. Wyant was no longer welcome. The coach was told not to come or call.

Too much turmoil caused a backlash. Young Shaw packed his gym bag, vacated the premises, actually moved out and moved in with a teacher.

“Curley Holman was recruiting Robert for Alabama,” recalled Wyant. “He was virtually living at the Shaw residence, trying to convince the parents to stand fast in their belief of what was best for Robert, to be more persuasive. Curley had Thanksgiving dinner at their house.”

Wyant kept close contact with Robert – and his girlfriend.

“I sweated out the commitment all fall,” said Wyant, who also had defensive backs to coach each week and big games on Saturdays.

“When I wasn’t in Marietta, I sent Robert telegrams of encouragement. I could call him through the teacher.”

Robert signed scholarship papers at the teacher’s house. Wyant called the father to negotiate his signature. Mr. Shaw was royally ticked. He refused to see Wyant.

“He said to just leave the papers in the mailbox, that he would come out and get them, sign and return them to the mailbox. He didn’t want anything to do with me.”

The late Sid Hatfield, recruiting coordinator for Bill Battle’s staff, told of the Tennessee victory celebration at the Marietta Holiday Inn. 

“Coach Wyant got to wondering what the boss would say about a signing party and a bill for refreshments from a bar,” recalled Sid. “We decided to outline the situation for Coach Battle.

“His immediate reaction was a definite no. I reminded him that Shaw was 6-4, 235 and a center. Coach thought about it a minute and said we should hurry on down. The bar bill wasn’t too bad but the party moved on to the dining room and ate up $700.”

Thirty-five years later, Wyant could not recall the Marietta bar bill. He thought 700 sounded a little high for Pepsi and chips. Wyant did recall an eventual luncheon meeting with the father to clear the air.

“I made the proposal and to my surprise, Mr. Shaw accepted. We talked two hours. When it was time to go, he said absolutely nothing had changed, that he never wanted to see me again.”

Robert Shaw lettered as a freshman. He was starting center in 1976-1977-1978, twice All-Southeastern Conference. Tennessee fans may remember the ’76 Vanderbilt game. The Vols arrived in Nashville with a few chips on their shoulders. It was Battle’s last game.

The Orangemen were warming up when Commodores came streaming through the UT ranks. Shaw fired a football and hit a Vandy cap. Robert supposes that might have started the fight. I think so. Spirited skirmish. Vols eventually won the war 13-10.

Robert and Elizabeth Shaw live in Dallas. They have three children. He is a prominent businessman. He was chair of the 1996 parade honoring the Super Bowl champs.

In partnership with another old Cowboy, Roger Staubach, Shaw developed a sizable condominium tower. He was involved in redeveloping the Rice Hotel into loft apartments. He and Gary Wyant remain good friends.

Marvin West invites reader response. His address is westwest6@netzero.com.