This included athletic director Hank Crisp, Whitworth's boss, who was in charge of the defense.
Whitworth subsequently acknowledged to the press that the hit on Bright was illegal, but did not suspend the player responsible.
One player later alleged that Whitworth had instigated the incident through labelling Bright a "prima donna" and expressing racist sentiments during practice.
[1] Whitworth was an Alabama graduate and had played tackle on the football team alongside Fred Sington.
In 1959, Whitworth returned as a line coach for Wally Butts' SEC champion Georgia team.