HUSL Today Salutes

Sylvester Croom

Sylvester Croom was born September 25, 1954 in Tuscaloosa, AL. He began his football career as a star player at Tuscaloosa High School as a linebacker and tight end. Croom first enjoyed achievement at Alabama as a player under Bryant, lettering for three seasons (1972-74), and starting the final two at center, helping the Tide to a 22-2 overall record as a starter. During his playing career with the Tide, Alabama captured three straight SEC titles and the national championship in 1973. The Crimson Tide went to the Cotton, Sugar and Orange Bowls during his playing career.


As a senior captain, the 6-0, 229-pound Croom was named all-SEC and a Kodak All-America, in addition to earning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the league. He earned a trip to the 1975 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., for his standout play.

"I'm just a guy trying to do the best job he can. It just happens that the timing of my hiring puts me in that position. I don't see myself that way. If other people perceive that, so be it. I'm just trying to do the best I can here."

-Croom addressing whether he saw himself as a "trailblazer"

Croom earned a Bachelor of Science degree in history with a minor in biology from the University of Alabama in 1975 at the age of twenty and while a graduate student and coach there earned a master's degree in educational administration in 1977.


On December 1, 2003 Mississippi State University made history when then-Mississippi State athletic director Larry Templeton hired Croom as the head football coach. This made Croom the first African American head coach in the SEC.

 "There's much more at stake here than football. The fact that I'm African American, that I'm the State football coach -- well, I think it will have a positive impact on race relations in the state of Mississippi, and how the rest of the country views Mississippi. The place has changed a great deal. I don't know how many people outside here understand that. But they're about to find out."

 
Croom is the current running backs coach of the St. Louis Rams. The Alabama coaching staff now awards the “Sylvester Croom Commitment to Excellence Award” each spring in honor of Croom's dedication during his stint as a player there.  

HUSL Today Salutes Sylvester Croom!!!