Ex-NFL player Bruce Olderman, 69, of Atlanta, coached youth

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By Shane Blatt

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

As a 6-foot-2-inch, 225-pound football coach, Bruce Olderman was a gentle giant.

Family photo Bruce Olderman was a coach with the Northside Youth Organization in Atlanta.

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Bruce Olderman, then a coach with Northside Youth Organization, offers words of advice and encouragement to his grandson Justin. Picture was taken in 2001.

Family photo Bruce Olderman, then a coach with Northside Youth Organization, offers words of advice and encouragement to his grandson Justin. Picture was taken in 2001.

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He didn’t scream, stomp or throw visors. He didn’t get angry or set his sights solely on winning. He was friendly, low-key and even-keeled — at all times.

“If a kid made a mistake, he just kind of smiled and carried on,” said Bill Grand, who coached with Mr. Olderman for three or four seasons with Northside Youth Organization in Atlanta. “There was really nothing that would get him going.”

And during his last coaching season in 2004, the former National Football League player drafted 11- and 12-year-old kids who were strong in character, but somewhat short on talent.

“He didn’t always have the best athletes, but he had the nicest kids around,” said Judy Olderman, his wife of 48 years. “He was more interested in having them learn good fundamental football than he was late hits or dirty tactics.”

The team’s record? 0-10.

“He wasn’t a very successful coach, but the kids loved him,” Mrs. Olderman said.

Bruce Taylor Olderman, 69, of Atlanta died Monday of cancer at home. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. today at Marist School in Atlanta. H.M. Patterson & Son is in charge of arrangements.

Born in Cleveland in 1939, Mr. Olderman graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., in 1961. He was a three-time All-Presidents Athletic Conference football team selection and was admitted to the school’s Hall of Fame in 1982.

In 1961, the Los Angeles Rams drafted him and were set to pay him $6,000 a year. During an exhibition game, the offensive lineman was “beaten around” by the Washington Redskins’ Sam Huff. He then was traded to the Dallas Cowboys and once again squared off — unsuccessfully — against Mr. Huff, Mrs. Olderman said.

So he left football and worked in the aluminum industry for a few years. In 1966, he moved to Atlanta and opened a real estate company in 1970.

He always had a special place in his heart for football. In his younger years, the love came from playing the sport. In his later years, it came from watching and coaching his grandson.

When Mr. Olderman’s son Robert died about 16 years ago, also of cancer, Mr. Olderman became a father figure for young Justin, Mrs. Olderman said.

Called “Papa Bruce,” he would take his grandson on trips to New York City, Boston, San Antonio and the Cayman Islands.

And when young Justin was old enough to play football for the Northside Youth Organization, Mr. Olderman strutted back onto the field to help out.

“He was very devoted to him,” Mr. Grand said. “He loved him, and it’s why he coached.”

Mr. Olderman left NYO as Justin headed off to Marist School, where the now 16-year-old still plays football.

About two or three years ago, after a game between Marist and Westminster, Justin sprinted over to embrace “Papa Bruce.” Two players from Westminster also wrapped their arms around their former coach.

“He made such an impression on those boys,” son Chuck Olderman said. “He was a really neat guy. He could relate to kids, he could relate to young adults, he could relate to older adults. He was multigenerational.”

In addition to his wife and son he is survived by brothers David John Olderman of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Russell Napier Olderman of Brevard, N.C.; and two grandchildren.