Covering history

A look back at past covers in DCTF's long history.This is a special time of year for us here at Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and, indeed, for football fans across the state of Texas. Later this week — noon Friday here on TexasFootball.com, to be precise — we’ll reveal the cover of the 2015 Summer Edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, the 56^th annual edition of “the bible of Texas football.”The cover of the summer magazine, as most folks around these parts know, is sacred space — it has come to represent the pinnacle of prestige in football in the Lone Star State. The greatest players, coaches and teams over the past half-century have graced it, from Darrell K Royal and Ricky Williams, to Big Edd Hargett and Johnny Manziel, to Ronnie Bull and Art Briles, to Sonny Gibbs and Gary Patterson, to Donny Anderson and Michael Crabtree, to Johnathan Gray and G.A. Moore.What we’re saying is, the cover of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football is a big deal.Before the big reveal on Friday, we want to look back at covers of the past, taking a step into the vault a bit to show where DCTF has been over the past 56 years. We’ll take a look at the cover from 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago, because when you’ve got a past and a prestige like DCTF, you had sure better celebrate it.10 Years Ago: 2005Texas QB Vince Young and Texas A&M QB Reggie McNealBefore: There was considerable hype around these two Texas-bred signal-callers at rival schools, with Texas beginning the year ranked No. 2 and A&M at No. 17. The headline “Lone Star No Longer” said it all — these were the two biggest stars in the state, at the two most prominent programs in the state.After: A&M stumbled to a 5-6 record, though McNeal doesn’t shoulder the majority of the blame — the Aggies’ defense allowed 31.2 points per game. Texas, meanwhile, stormed to the national title behind Young, who probably should’ve won the Heisman Trophy.20 Years Ago: 1995Southwest Conference collageProbably the most unique cover DCTF has ever done, this illustration featured some of the greats of the now-dead Southwest Conference, from Sammy Baugh to Earl Campbell to Doak Walker to Mike Singletary to Bill Yeoman. And that was the last time we ever saw conference realignment in the state of Texas! Oh wait.30 Years Ago: 1985TCU coach Jim Wacker and RB Kenneth DavisBefore: Everything was trending upward for the Horned Frogs, as coach Jim Wacker took them from a dismal 1-8-2 record in 1983 to a very solid 8-4 mark in 1984, with Davis leading the way with 1,611 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. The Frogs seemed poised for a big year in 1985…After: …until Davis got suspended after the first game of the 1985 season for receiving cash benefits. The Frogs tumbled to 3-8, including a winless Southwest Conference season.(Editorial aside: this headline always bothered me. TCU Dynamite is great…but look at the e’s in “Unbeleeevable”. I’ve told Dave Campbell about this, and he loves it. And he’s the boss. So my opinion means diddly.)40 Years Ago: 1975Baylor coach Grant TeaffBefore: Grant Teaff looked like a miracle worker on the Brazos. For a team that hadn’t had a winning season in 11 years, Teaff took the Bears to an 8-4 mark and a spot in the Cotton Bowl in 1974. It looked like the best was yet to come for Baylor.After: The best of the Teaff era was yet to come, but it wasn’t in 1975, where the Bears managed just 16.5 points per game and finished the season 3-6-2.50 Years Ago: 1965Texas Tech RB Donny AndersonBefore: One of the most bruising running backs in the Southwest Conference, Anderson took the football scene by storm, racking up 1,362 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Red Raiders in a sensational junior year in 1964, guiding Tech to a modest 6-4-1 record.After: He was even better as a senior, racking up 1,502 yards and 17 touchdowns of total offense as Tech went 8-3 and earned a Gator Bowl berth.(Editorial aside: About a year ago, I was at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco for their annual induction ceremony. I was checking out the DCTF wing of the museum as I always do whenever I’m there, and I heard a voice behind me.“Right there,” said the voice. “That’s me.”I turned, and who was it? Donny Anderson. Small world.)Who will join these legends as DCTF Coverboy? Find out Friday on TexasFootball.com! Greg Tepper is the managing editor of Dave Campbell's Texas Football and TexasFootball.com.He can be reached via e-mail, via Twitter (@Tepper) and via the DCTF Facebook page.