Dana Xenophon Bible Passes Away

Today in Masonic History Dana Xenophon Bible passes away in 1980.

Dana Xenophon Bible was an American college coach for Football, Baseball and Basketball.

Bible was born October 8th 1891 in Jefferson City, Tennessee. He would graduate in 1912 from Carson-Newman College where his father was a professor.

Bible began coaching at Brandon Prep School in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He quickly was recruited by college programs to coach. He would coach for Mississippi College in 1912 and in 1916 would be recruited by Texas A&M University.

During Bible's 1919 season with Texas A&M the team would go undefeated. In fact they would collectively outscore their opponents 275 - 0.

Throughout Bible's time with Texas A&M, he would bring the Longhorns to national prominence. They would win three Southwest conference championships and go to the Cotton Bowl Classic three times, winning twice.

Off the field Bible served on the National Collegiate Football committee. He was also one of coach's involved in the T Formation revolution changing the way that the game was played.

Bible would be inducted into the College Football of Fame in 1951, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1959, and the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1960. Bible was also awarded the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award which is given to an "individual, group or institution whose services have been outstanding in the advancement of the best interests of football’’. The Stagg award is given by American Football Coaches Association.

Bible was a member of Mossy Creek Lodge No. 353 in Jefferson City, Tennessee.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.