University of South Carolina Libraries
Parker From. Page 6 up, Carolina is still capable of a respectable season, even a winning season. USC's defense did show marked improvement in the second game and the offense is quite good if it can avoid mistakes. Carolina won't be 19th in the country as The Gamecock optimistically predicted last Week, but USC could have a strong enough team to help future recruiting. But no matter what the course of the season-- win or lose--Dietzel's decision to inform the public of his resignation plans after the second game will make the going easier for everyone, especially during these next few trying weeks. 2ROm r * SUAMMW4 1%t"(OLt5 SMIXL0 C47a fV2U suE COLUMMIA FREE PITCHER 4 JNGKIA 'WTA14 0000 IMA g! 1irft i'~ c' CO ' . 0 sandwiches Cdraft beer m in i-bottles Open 11a.m. 'til Midnight u HARDne.. CO.... .C. Dietze From Page One diverticulosis, and he said his doctor advised him to stop coaching. "I really wasn't supposed to coach this year," Dietzel said after reading a 690-word statement to the press. "But I really wanted to coach this team this year." Carolina's losses in its first two game are extremely disapponiting to Dietzel, who said before the season this was the best team he has had at USC. 'We have not, in my-memory, ever prepared more diligently or thoroughly for a season," Dietzel said. "We knew we would be a good team." Dietzel said that two years ago he told Rutledge Osborne, then board of trustees' chairman, he wanted to resign as coach, but that he agreed to continue coaching at least until after the 1975 season. "My plans became disrupted and scrambled last year during my unexpected encounter in the hospital," Dietzel said. "On my Text of Di (This is the complete text of Carolina Head Football Coach Paul Dietzel's resignation statement. Dietzel read the statement to the public during an interview with Bob Fulton over WIS-radio following Carolina's 20 14 setback by Duke University. The full text was also posted in Carolina's lockerroom following the game.) "The 1974 football season will be my last as coach of the Fighting Gamecocks. "Two years ago, I told Mr. Rut Osborne (retired chairman of the board of trustees), that I wanted to step down as coach (But would like to remain as director of athletics). The department of athletics at Carolina had tripled in size and just running the7 department was and is a full-time job. (There are many things that I would like to do as director of athletics -- but holding down both jobs doesn't allow the time). Football recruiting, when done with com plete vigor and honesty, is a never ending job. Mr. Rut asked me to remain as coach -- at least until i our freshman class (Grantz' class) had graduated. All of at the university love Mr. Rut and deeply respect his judgement. I agreed to stay. "My plans became disrupted and scrambled last year during my unexpected encounter in the CANTON 6400 GARD CEDAR TERRACI (opposite FAMOUS IN: TEL: C:HINESE & A ME ROMANTIC A TMC sPA RKLING WINE, FLOWER & MUSIC .QEL4lDAYSW WEE I resign4 doctor's advice, I gave much prayerful thought to re-evaluating my future at Carolina." Although Dietzel, Marchant and Patterson claim a decision about Dietzel's future at the University has not been made, there have been hints that Dietzel will remain as athletic director. For instance, in his statement, Dietzel said, "Regardless of the won-loss record, it was to be my last year. Dr. Pat (PatLerson) and I quietly made plans to remodel the Roundhouse to accommodate a new head coach." In addition, when asked if Dietzel would be replaced if the Univer sity's choice as coach insisted on being athletic director, too, Pat terson said he thought the vastness of the USC athletic program would make it almost impossible for one person to both coach football and be the athletic director. Marchant also said he believed the two jobs--coaching football and being athletic director--were too much for one person. He said: ietzel's stai hospital. On my doctor's advice, I gave much prayerful thought to reevaluating my future at Carolina. In early summer, I finally reached a conclusion and confided in our fine president, Dr. William Patterson. Dr. Patterson and my wife, Anne, were the only others that knew that this was to be my last year as coach at Carolina. As I told Dr. Patterson, I intended for it to be the best year we have had at Carolina. Regardless of the won-loss record, it was to be my last year. Dr. Patterson and I quietly made plans to remodel the Roundhouse to accommodate a new head coach. "We have not, in my memory, ver prepared more diligently or horoughly for a season. We knew ve would be a good team. I in ended to announce my retirement ate in the season. However, esterday I told chairman Mar hant, trustee athletic committee hairman Peters and Dr. Pat erson that I would make the an iouncement now. I have thrived n pressure throughout my career, out it is not fair to my family, our ine staff, or our young athletes. Ve will still have a good year. Its a natter of priorities -- and my 4aker and my family come before ny job or my personal feelings. "When I was a young assistant :oach, as most idealistic young nen do. I set some goals for RESTAURANT ERS FERRY ROAD SHOPPING CENTER o V.A. Hospital) 776-9199 776-9898 RICAN F(X)[ >SPHERF WITH. MiXED CRINKS, . REA SCNABLE PRiCE K.l11an.-11 mm ;post "In my limited exposure to college athletics, particularly in the athletic environment we are trying to operate at Carolina, I would have to say the program is too big for a person to be athletic director and also coach a major sports team." Patterson called Dietzel "one of the kind of people you want on your campus. He's a very fine, decent man." He also said, "I think I've said before I'd like to have him (Dietzel) in the University somewhere." Dietzel came to Carolina in 1966 and his teams have had a 3848-1 record, with nine games ap parently remaining in his career. His best years were 1969 and last year, when USC was 7-4 both years. The 1969 team went to the Peach Bowl, where they lost to West Virginia. In eight years, Carolina has had three winning seasons, incl, -g 1971 when the Gamecock . 6-5. His worst year was his first, 1966, when the record was 1-9. tement myself. One was to be a major head coach by 30 and another was to be a head coach for at least 20 years. (Last year's hospitalization almost made me miss this). "My attitude about this decision is most positive. There is no way for me to properly describe the pleasure and many rewarding experiences that have been mine over the past 27 years. The Dietzel family have greatly appreciated the thousands of marvelous people it has been our pleasure to come to know. These past eight years in Carolina have been especially pleasant. We have not regretted coming here. Throughout my coaching career, with very few notable exceptions, the over whelming majority of the news media have been very fair to me and are my valued friends. "The excitement of victory and the agony of defeat have been a way of life for our family. Half of our past 20 family Christmases have been spent at bowl or all-star sites. "But the real rewards in coaching come from that every day relationship with 'the troops.' Young people have been and still are just great. They're even more enjoyable after they have graduated. This I will miss the most. "Now that the decision is ac complished, I can completely concentrate on the rest of the season. We have a relatively new (to Carolina ) coaching staff. They are bright and very talented, ledicated workers, good honest ecruiters and they love Carolina. I'here are no better assistant :oaches anywhere and I do hope hey remain at Carolite. "After our season is over, Carolina will select a new coach. Since 'signing date' is nationally in February, this will not create such a problem for the recruiting. I am nost anxious that Carolina have a great naew coach -- one who ossesses the same unique winning :haracteristics as do all of the ither head coaches at Carolina. "Right now, however, I plan to lo the best coaching job in my