The Legend of HOOYAH at Hardin-Simmons

It’s a phrase that began with the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys football program and has spread across the university. But how did “HOOYAH” begin?
Cory Hogue

Hardin-Simmons head football coach Jimmie Keeling gathered the team around following the program’s first practice since the 1964 season. HSU did not field a football team from 1964 through 1989, so not many on the roster likely knew about the traditions of the older teams. No one knew how the previous teams ended football practice. Did they have an acronym or a saying they used?

According to legend, defensive coordinator Bill McKinney, one of four full-time coaches on staff in 1990, stepped forward. The former Marine spoke to the team about how the Corps uses the phrase “Oorah” to provide motivation. The team chose to honor the Marines and their Cowboy heritage and adopted the phrase “HOOYAH.”

Sign In