Jerry Glanville, the former NFL head coach and NASCAR owner and driver, will be selling off various pieces of football memorabilia during a living estate sale in Dawsonville, GA next month.
Among the items available will be his personal collection of game balls, bowl game watches and rings, signed and unsigned photos from famous acquaintances, trophies, tickets, awards and even two muscle cars from his auto collection.
Glanville said that he decided to begin selling off the items he accumulated over his 29-year coaching career because “it would have been too much work to leave for family if I wait until I’m in the box.”
Glanville, 72, who was the colorful head coach of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers, compiled a 60-69 career record over nine seasons, taking the Falcons to the playoffs in 1991.
Known for stalking the sidelines in his trademark black attire and for leaving tickets at will call for Elvis Presley to each game he coached, the sale will offer several items related to those two legacies: much of his attire—from “high plains drifter” coats to custom-made motorcycle jackets, cowboy boots and hats—and music and celebrity memorabilia—including items related to the Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelsonand Kris Kristofferson), Travis Tritt and Confederate Railroad, among others, can be had.
“Many of Jerry’s items are one of kind, and pricing items like these are a challenge because they are rarely seen on the resale market,” said Donna Davis, who is running the estate sale. Jerry and his wife have been wonderful to work with. Jerry is taking a great interest in making sure I am aware of the significance of some of the items he will be selling.”
The cream of the crop is related to Glanville’s football coaching career, which he began as a defensive coordinator in 1967 atWestern Kentucky before moving to Georgia Tech for a six-year stint as the Yellow Jackets’ defensive line and linebackers coach. He made the jump to the NFL as a defensive assistant and special teams coach with the Detroit Lions in 1974. Several NFL game balls, the watches and rings from collegiate bowl games, souvenir tickets and dozens of individual and team photographs will be available in the sale.
Among some of the items are several pairs of cowboy boots, some emblazoned with Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers logos, one pair made from recycled footballs, and some from his NASCAR, NHRA and ARCA racing teams.
“One pair of the Falcons boots we had made for the entire team, and other boots were made by David Wheeler in Houston,” Glanville said. “There are some made from all kinds of material. One pair is made from NFL footballs, there is one pair made of elephant skin for riding motorcycles, and a pair of kangaroo skill for when it’s over 90 degrees.”
Glanville’s gold Falcons lapel pin, given to him for 10 years of service to the team will be offered, as well as watches and rings he received as a member of the Georgia Tech teams that went to the Sun Bowl, Peach Bowl and Liberty Bowl from 1970-72.
There are also several Houston Oilers belt buckles and cowboy hats from all teams worn during games by the former coach, as well as boxes of game balls—all printed with Glanville’s name, the game scores and dates—and items from his offices.
Glanville earned more notoriety as the owner/driver of the #81 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team from 1995 through 1999. The sale will include many items related to his racing career.
The two cars in his collection that will be put up for sale are custom modified. “Both cars have added horsepower, special air boxes and exhaust,” said Glanville. “They are both better then new.”
The 2005 Dodge Magnum has a 400-horse-power engine with an after-market air box and Corsa performance exhaust, while the 2007 Shelby Cobra boasts a 600-horse-power engine with a K&N performance air box and a Borla performance exhaust.
Furniture from his lake house, kitchenware, clothing, rugs, Wild West art and other items accumulated by Glanville and his family will be available as well.
The address of the sale will be posted on the EstateSales.net website on Thursday, May 14, the day before the weekend sale.
