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Bramlett to enter Hall of Fame

By DAWN REISS
Published January 3, 2007

CRYSTAL RIVER - Earl Bramlett made a name for himself as a battle-tested coach, a disciplinarian who loved to compete. As Bramlett's accomplishments grew, so did his legacy as Crystal River's football coach.

His achievements will be honored at noon Saturday in Daytona Beach when he is one of seven coaches inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

"I think it's great," Bramlett said. "I'm really thrilled."

The induction class also features former Jesuit baseball coach John Crumbley, Polk County athletic director Don Bridges, Tallahassee Chiles cross country/track coach Scott Gowan, Bradenton Southeast girls basketball coach John Harder, Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons wrestling coach Frank Pettineo Jr. and Jacksonville Wolfson track coach Ron Brooks. The Hall of Fame, started in 1977, includes 183 inductees.

Long-time Hernando track and cross country coach Ernie Chatman, inducted into the hall in 2004, nominated Bramlett.

"I've known Earl for quite some time and knew all his successes at Crystal River and other places," Chatman said. "He certainly is deserving of that recognition and honor."

Bramlett, 68, began his coaching career in 1963 as an assistant at Marietta Ga. High. His first head coaching position came at Lakeland Kathleen in 1966, followed by stops at Marietta (Ga.) Sandy Springs, Georgia Tech (assistant on the freshman team), Bradenton Manatee, defensive coordinator at Virginia Military Institute, Bradenton Southeast, Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic, Dalton (Ga.) Southeast Whitfield, Lafayette (Ga.), along with two stints at Crystal River (1972-76; 1985-2000). He finished his career as Crystal River athletic director, retiring July 31, 2006.

Bramlett led the Pirates to their first district title and seven playoff appearances (1988, 1991, 1994, 1996-99). He posted a 126-85 record at Crystal River.

"Every time the kids took the field, they felt like they had a chance to win," said ex-Pirates football coach Jere DeFoor, once a long-time assistant of Bramlett. "He developed a lot of pride in everything we did. He always said 'play hard, practice hard and the game is the reward.' "

Dawn Reiss can be reached at dreiss@sptimes.com or (352) 860-7303.

[Last modified January 2, 2007, 23:14:09]