Bucky godbolt biography samples

Ricky Williams flashed a pleasant smile when asked about his running backs coach at the University of Texas.

“He’s more like a best friend than coach,” said Williams, the Phillies minor league outfielder and the All-Big 12 running back who is called “Little Earl” because he reminds the Longhorns of the great Earl Campbell. “He’s a relaxed guy who will spend extra time with you to make you better.”

This Texas running backs coach is Michael Anthony Godbolt, better known as Bucky.

He’s been known as Bucky growing up in Bethlehem where he played football at Bethlehem Catholic and later on at Boston College.

Godbolt would be flattered to hear what his Texas “pupils” say about him. Godbolt is a laid-back guy who relates well to his players. Williams is one of his prize performers.

According to Dan Neil, Texas’ All-American offensive lineman, Williams, a multi-sport athlete who was recruited heavily, decided on Texas because of Godbolt.

“Ricky could have gone anywhere he wanted to,” said Neil, “but he came to Texas because he thought so much of Coach Godbolt. Coach Godbolt is a great recruiter.”

Running backs have been Godbolt’s specialty ever since he got into coaching 15 years ago after a distinguished career as a wide receiver at Boston College. His first coaching job was at B.C.

For the last nine years, Godbolt has been with Texas head coach John Mackovic. Four of those years were at Illinois, and, when Mackovic took over at Texas five years ago, he wanted Godbolt to join him.

“I’ve always admired Coach Mackovic’s offensive imagination,” God bolt said the other day after an intense practice session. “He’s the kind of coach I like because offense has always been my game.”

At Texas, Godbolt’s got an army of great running backs. If you think Joe Paterno stockpiles running backs, look at what Texas has done.

Godbolt gets a lot of credit for developing what Texans call “big guns.” Start with Williams. Throw in Shon Mitchell and Priest Holmes and the Longhorns have guns to spare.

“I think that’s our best position,” said Godbolt. “I don’t want to take anything away from our quarterback and wide receivers because they’re very strong, too, but our runners are something special.”

With Williams, Mitchell and Holmes, Texas’ running game has been awesome. In one game this year all three of them ran for better than 100 yards. This tandem, all underclassmen, is said to be one of the finest in Texas history.

“They make me look good,” Godbolt said with a sly smile.

Godbolt is hardly a stranger to the bowl scene. At Boston College alone, Godbolt was on a coaching staff that guided B.C. to four bowl appearances. Ditto for his stint at Illinois. Add four more since he arrived at Texas with Mackovic.

Tomorrow night’s Fiesta Bowl is a little special in that he’s coaching against Penn State. Godbolt and Texas’ secondary coach, Dan Rocco, are Pennsylvanians, and that adds much to the matchup.

“I’ve always admired Penn State and Joe Paterno,” he said. “Just the other night, I was at a dinner where Paterno spoke. I enjoyed listening to him. I know some of his coaches, Fran Ganter and Dick Anderson.”

Was Godbolt ever recruited by Penn State as a Becahi schoolboy?

“I wasn’t that interested in Penn State because they never threw the ball,” he said. “Times have changed, though, I guess.”

Godbolt still has an open ear for a head coaching job, recently interviewing for the Boston College spot.

“I love the college kids,” he said. “I like teaching them. I’ve had a lot of good kids over the years.”

The college kids could say much the same about Godbolt. They like having a “best friend” as a coach.

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