It’s not easy for Gary Campbell to recall his favorite moments at UCLA, his alma mater. But the 62-year-old running backs coach said he’ll always be a Bruin, even though he’s coached at Oregon for 30 years.
“I love UCLA,” Campbell said. “I’m cheering for them every game they play, except when they play us, of course.”
Although the time is hazy in his mind, Campbell does recall arriving in Los Angeles in 1969. He remembers feeling overwhelmed by the culture change since he was going from the small town of Ennis, Texas, to a huge university in one of the biggest cities in the country.
“I think at that time the enrollment was at 22,000,” Campbell said. “My hometown was about 10,000.”
Campbell eventually got the hang of Los Angeles life, both on and off the football field. On it, he had a productive career, netting nearly 1,000 total yards. Ducks running back Kenny Bassett doesn’t have much film at his disposal to judge Campbell’s performance, but he envisions his coach being a tough player to tackle.
“I just imagine him back there being a bruiser,” Bassett said, “just running through everybody, throwing people.”
Like many things from that time, though, Campbell barely remembers his on-field action. What Campbell looks back upon most fondly are the relationships he built with his teammates, mainly because he’s still friends with several of them.
“Football was fun,” Campbell said, “but the thing you remember most about your playing days are the guys you played with and the friendships you made.”
Campbell said he talked with former teammates Kermit Johnson and James McAlister last week. On Sunday, he talked with his college roommate and UCLA teammate Marv Kendricks.
“We’re all close friends,” Campbell said.
All of those memories have faded over time for the Oregon coach, though. He might still hold onto relationships and moments from his college years, but those times make up a small fraction of his life.
“I’m a Bruin,” he said. “But I’m a Duck, also. This is my home. This is where I make my living. This is where I raise my family. I’ve been here half my life.”
Oregon is where he has mentored multiple generations-worth of running backs, as well. It’s where he’s earned their respect, their appreciation.
“If you ask any player here,” Bassett said, “they’ll probably say that Coach Campbell is their favorite coach.”
Both Campbell and his players said he doesn’t give special focus to games against UCLA.
“Maybe in the back of his head, he thinks, ‘It’s cool I’m playing my alma mater,’” running back Byron Marshall said. “But as far as his actions go, he doesn’t really demonstrate it. It’s another game, another team.”
UCLA isn’t just another school to Campbell. As he said, he’ll always be a Bruin at heart. One just has to look at his continuous donations to the university.
But he seems to be emotionally removed from those days. Given that it’s been 40 years since his final football game as a Bruin, the passage of time might be the main (and only) reason he feels this way.
“I don’t miss anything,” he said. “It’s been too long since I’ve played to miss it anymore.”