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Started By
Message
One of the original “Chinese Bandits” has left us
Posted on 1/16/21 at 3:02 pm
Posted on 1/16/21 at 3:02 pm
Jim Lavin, LSU class of ‘57 has died in New Orleans. Lavin was a lineman under Paul Dietzel playing both ways and one of the original “Chinese Bandits”. He died from complications following a fall and a broken hip.
Following his time at LSU he signed and played for the Dallas Texans of the old AFL before retiring following knee injuries.
I knew Lavin as Coach during my high school career. All of us who played for him were beneficiaries of so much more than the Xs and Os he drew on the chalk board. He truly cared about our development as men first and players second.
He leaves behind his wife, grown children and grandchildren, one of which played offensive tackle at Tulane this past season.
Lavin will be missed by many. Lavin was 83 years old.
Following his time at LSU he signed and played for the Dallas Texans of the old AFL before retiring following knee injuries.
I knew Lavin as Coach during my high school career. All of us who played for him were beneficiaries of so much more than the Xs and Os he drew on the chalk board. He truly cared about our development as men first and players second.
He leaves behind his wife, grown children and grandchildren, one of which played offensive tackle at Tulane this past season.
Lavin will be missed by many. Lavin was 83 years old.
This post was edited on 1/16/21 at 4:06 pm
12
Posted on 1/16/21 at 3:06 pm to Emergent C Steve
RIP for a Tiger of Lore
Posted on 1/16/21 at 3:09 pm to Emergent C Steve
RIP to a Tiger Legend
Posted on 1/16/21 at 3:24 pm to Emergent C Steve
quote:
Following his time at LSU he signed and played for the Houston Texans of the old AFL before retiring following knee injuries.
Thank you for posting this. He actually played for the Dallas Texans and they became the KC Chiefs. The Houston Oilers are now the Titans. Yeah, I am old.
This post was edited on 1/16/21 at 3:40 pm
Posted on 1/16/21 at 3:33 pm to Sandperson
Thanks for the correction. Actually I remember it now. It was the Dallas Texans, because I remember him talking about dealing with the Hunt Bros who eventually moved the team to KC as the Chiefs.
I am old as well. LOL
I am old as well. LOL
This post was edited on 1/16/21 at 4:51 pm
Posted on 1/16/21 at 3:36 pm to Emergent C Steve
RIP 
Posted on 1/16/21 at 3:55 pm to Sandperson
quote:
Thank you for posting this. He actually played for the Dallas Texans and they became the KC Chiefs. The Houston Oilers are now the Titans. Yeah, I am old.
So he blocked for Billy Cannon in college and in the pros. Also for Abner Haynes and for Hall of Fame QBs George Blanda and Len Dawson.
Posted on 1/16/21 at 3:58 pm to Emergent C Steve
Was he coaching at Kennedy High in Nola in the 1970’s? I remember coach Lavin, but did not know he was a Tiger and Pro, if it’s the same man.
Posted on 1/16/21 at 4:02 pm to LSUtoBOOT
He was the Coach at Kennedy during the late 60’s and 70’s. That is him. He never talked much about his college or pro days. He was really a humble man.
Posted on 1/16/21 at 4:08 pm to Emergent C Steve
Thank you, I do remember him as a big man, and quiet. He didn’t take any shite off anyone either. 
Posted on 1/16/21 at 4:37 pm to Emergent C Steve
RIP Tiger.
Posted on 1/16/21 at 6:09 pm to Emergent C Steve
RIP
Posted on 1/16/21 at 7:45 pm to TexasTiger89
Sucks to hearPosted on 1/16/21 at 8:19 pm to Emergent C Steve
That’s a great life!
Posted on 1/16/21 at 8:29 pm to Emergent C Steve
Rip. Some how fouled up and hit downvote. Did not mean to
Posted on 1/18/21 at 8:42 pm to Emergent C Steve
Thanks for all of the kind words about my father. He was always very proud of playing football and doing track & field for LSU. He’s always been a die hard Tiger fan and wore his LSU ring to the very end. Not that it matters, but he was 86 year olds.
Thanks again
Mitch Lavin
Thanks again
Mitch Lavin
Posted on 1/18/21 at 8:44 pm to irishmml
Sound like he was a great person and dad. Sorry for your loss and RIP
Posted on 1/18/21 at 9:09 pm to LSUtoOmaha
The Bandits were defensive specialists and usually did not play both ways.
Jim Lavin was a great person. However, the Chinese Bandits were born in 1958 as part of Dietzel's three-team system --the White team which played both ways, the Go team which specialized on offense and the Chinese Bandits, which specialized on defense. In Lavin's years 1956 and 1957 he did play both ways. In 1956 he was the only LSU player big enough to go against the great Earl Leggett, the Tigers' star tackle who had an outstanding professional career after his final campaign under Dietzel in 1956.
\\\\
Jim Lavin was a great person. However, the Chinese Bandits were born in 1958 as part of Dietzel's three-team system --the White team which played both ways, the Go team which specialized on offense and the Chinese Bandits, which specialized on defense. In Lavin's years 1956 and 1957 he did play both ways. In 1956 he was the only LSU player big enough to go against the great Earl Leggett, the Tigers' star tackle who had an outstanding professional career after his final campaign under Dietzel in 1956.
\\\\
Posted on 1/18/21 at 9:59 pm to LayupKing
I go to church with a Chinese bandit.
Tommy Lott.
Tommy Lott.
Posted on 1/19/21 at 3:37 am to Sticker1971
quote:
I go to church with a Chinese bandit.
Tommy Lott.
Has Lott ever mentioned if he was roommates with Mangham in 1958?
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