Ed Bruce

Herbert Edwin "Ed" Bruce, Jr. was a graduate of Hewitt-Trussville High School. Bruce played quarterback for the University of Chattanooga and Maryville College, TN. He received three degrees from the University of Alabama Bruce coached at the now-closed Phillips and Jones Valley High Schools in Birmingham. His 1971 Phillips team enjoyed the schools first winning season in 10 years. In two seasons at the helm, his teams went 9-11. In 1973 he moved over to Jones Valley where in two more years his squads finished with a 10-9 slate. Coach Bruce accepted the head coaching job at Gardendale in 1975. He guided the Rockets for the next eight years on the football field. His teams enjoyed four seasons with 10 or more wins, including an undefeated regular season in 1982. His overall record with Gardendale was 67-33-1. Five of his teams reached the playoffs and all five won area titles. His overall record as a head football coach was 86-53-2 in 12 years. Bruce left coaching after that undefeated regular season, finishing his educational career as principal at Corner High School until he retired in 2001. He served in the Jefferson County, Birmingham and Bessemer school systems over the course of his 38 year career. Bruce also coached track and started the wrestling program at Phillips and the soccer programs at Jones Valley and Gardendale. He was an Elder at Five Mile Presbyterian Church and was a Mason and Shriner. Gardendale honored him with a commemorative plaque overlooking Driver Field. In 1998, he was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. The former Gardendale football coach died Thu August 26, 2010 of an apparent heart attack at the age of 68.