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With this Army game this weekend, I can’t help but be reminded of Pepsodent Paul.
Posted on 10/17/23 at 8:47 pm
Posted on 10/17/23 at 8:47 pm
Army was quite a different football program back in the 50’s and prior, and I know Coach regretted leaving LSU, even if it was for a job he had in his mind at the time as his dream job at Army, but it’s a shame he’s not around to be able to witness this game between LSU and Army. I think it would have meant a lot to him, and hey, if nothing else, it would have been a really good side story. I think it’s a real honor to be able to play Army on the gridiron. I know a lot of people may not appreciate it that way, but I do.
In any case, I guess I’m just reminiscing on a really special time for LSU and Coach Paul Dietzel at the helm. I think he really loved LSU and the people of BR, and I know the feeling was mutual. I wrote him once years back asking about he and my uncle, who was on his staff back in those days, and he was so gracious in responding to me with some back stories of friendship they shared and funny stories that I was totally unaware of, and he really didn’t have to do all that. I’m nobody, but it really said a lot to me about the man he was to take time out of his day go to the trouble to do that. Guys like that I’m afraid are almost non existent anymore, but we were all fortunate enough to have had them around for a season I suppose.
In any case, I guess I’m just reminiscing on a really special time for LSU and Coach Paul Dietzel at the helm. I think he really loved LSU and the people of BR, and I know the feeling was mutual. I wrote him once years back asking about he and my uncle, who was on his staff back in those days, and he was so gracious in responding to me with some back stories of friendship they shared and funny stories that I was totally unaware of, and he really didn’t have to do all that. I’m nobody, but it really said a lot to me about the man he was to take time out of his day go to the trouble to do that. Guys like that I’m afraid are almost non existent anymore, but we were all fortunate enough to have had them around for a season I suppose.
3
Posted on 10/17/23 at 9:01 pm to Mike da Tigah
I was a sophomore at LSU when Dietzel left for Army. There were not many happy feelings among the Tiger faithful about him getting his dream job. I was a season ticket holder when Pepsodent Paul came back to Tiger Stadium with his USCe squad. We were all happy to get a decisive victory against him.
Posted on 10/17/23 at 9:08 pm to blueridgeTiger
quote:
I was a sophomore at LSU when Dietzel left for Army. There were not many happy feelings among the Tiger faithful about him getting his dream job. I was a season ticket holder when Pepsodent Paul came back to Tiger Stadium with his USCe squad. We were all happy to get a decisive victory against him.
But the prodigal son finally came back home. I think even through all that, he still holds a really special place in LSU’s history and the hearts of LSU faithful, and that 58 team will still be remembered as bigger than life itself. I forgive him. Water under the bridge. 
Posted on 10/17/23 at 9:19 pm to Mike da Tigah
I love hearing the stories about that ‘58 team. I knew Coach Dietzel later in his life as we would cross paths around town in Baton Rouge. This may seem simple, but I remember noticing how he didn’t look that much older than guys like Billy Cannon and Warren Rabb, and realizing how young he was when he was the head coach at LSU.
Coach Dietzel was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I also wish he were alive to see this game.
I’m as excited about this game as any big SEC opponent. It’s special when you get the opportunity to play a team like West Point.
Coach Dietzel was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I also wish he were alive to see this game.
I’m as excited about this game as any big SEC opponent. It’s special when you get the opportunity to play a team like West Point.
This post was edited on 10/17/23 at 9:41 pm
Posted on 10/17/23 at 9:22 pm to blueridgeTiger
Paul was being hung in effigy after announcing he was leaving LSU for Army.
One can't imagine the cult following Paul Dietzel had achieved at LSU, beginning with the 1958 season. That year was the beginning of The Fighting Tigers we know and love. He really broke a lot of hearts by leaving
One can't imagine the cult following Paul Dietzel had achieved at LSU, beginning with the 1958 season. That year was the beginning of The Fighting Tigers we know and love. He really broke a lot of hearts by leaving
Posted on 10/17/23 at 9:39 pm to TigerinKorea
quote:
Coach Dietzel…around town…in Baton Rouge
I lived in Baton Rouge for a very long time and when one reflects on it in the context of some on this board referring to it repeatedly as a s**thole, people like Dietzel cross my mind. Think about all of the well-known, successful people who have lived there, gone on to achieve much in life, and returned to live there or certainly to visit constantly. It’s not the world renowned geographical vistas or the pretense of sophisticated culture. It’s the people. For the most part, people in that area of Louisiana are really nice. Much more so than many other areas of the country that are perceived to be better.
Posted on 10/18/23 at 6:46 am to Mike da Tigah
Yep, Paul didn't read that one very well. LSU at that point in time was a program capable of sustained long term success and Army was in the beginning of the inevitable decline of the military schools in terms of realistically competing at a national level in football. He badly whiffed on that one.
Posted on 10/18/23 at 8:04 am to Tiger Ugly
Wow, some revisionist history here, Coach Paul was special and was a GREAT coach and was very kind, however he left due to his, shall we say, relationships with one assistant coach's wife and BOS wife. Army was far from good, they had not won more than 6 games in 6 years before Coach D got there and then he basically went .500. He did not leave for a better job, he left to get out of town.
I give him full credit for the good he did at LSU as a Coach and AD, but let's at least be honest..he was human... Let the down votes reign in, some people see the world only as they want to
I give him full credit for the good he did at LSU as a Coach and AD, but let's at least be honest..he was human... Let the down votes reign in, some people see the world only as they want to
Posted on 10/18/23 at 12:21 pm to secfballfan
quote:
With this Army game this weekend, I can’t help but be reminded of Pepsodent Paul.
Wow, some revisionist history here
Since you replied to my post I was thinking you were responding specifically to me - but given your context maybe generally to everyone in the thread.
quote:First I've ever heard of it, I guess it could be true.
however he left due to his, shall we say, relationships with one assistant coach's wife and BOS wife.
quote:This was my point.
Army was far from good, they had not won more than 6 games in 6 years before Coach D got there and then he basically went .500.
quote:Again, this could be true - never heard that before and I've been around long enough I thought I heard all such rumors and innuendo like this...but it's possible this was out there and I missed it somehow...true or not.
He did not leave for a better job, he left to get out of town.
Posted on 10/18/23 at 4:41 pm to secfballfan
quote:
Wow, some revisionist history here, Coach Paul was special and was a GREAT coach and was very kind, however he left due to his, shall we say, relationships with one assistant coach's wife and BOS wife. Army was far from good, they had not won more than 6 games in 6 years before Coach D got there and then he basically went .500. He did not leave for a better job, he left to get out of town.
I've heard these rumors before and don't put much stock in them. Dietzel was at his height of popularity at LSU. He had won a National Championship in 58 and missed another in 59 by inches. His 61 team (which he once said was the most talented team he coached) might have won an NC except for an inexplicable loss to Rice. He was poised to win a NC in 62 when he left the Tigers.
Posted on 10/18/23 at 8:16 pm to secfballfan
quote:
I give him full credit for the good he did at LSU as a Coach
Anybody else seeing a trend with LSU coaches leading a NC team and then splitting under “circumstances ?”
Posted on 10/18/23 at 8:48 pm to beachdude
This is so true. I was born and raised in BR and have lived in many places across the country, currently sentenced to live in Birmingham, probably one of the most unfriendly cities on earth. BR tops them all. People are gracious, welcoming. For those who are critical of it, you do not know what you have.
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