The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 23, 1974, Page Page 7, Image 7
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.
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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
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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
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"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