Lone Star Dietz

Bio

William "Lone Star" Dietz provided a foundation for football success at many universities across the nation. He served as the head coach for 19 seasons at seven institutions and enjoyed a distinguished career as an assistant coach. In 1915, Dietz launched his head coaching résumé by leading Washington State to a 7-0 mark and a Rose Bowl victory over Brown. He led the Cougars to a 17-2-1 record for three seasons. After a one-year stay at Purdue in 1921, Dietz led Louisiana Tech to an 11-3 record from 1922-23. Dietz then coached three seasons at Wyoming from 1924-26, where he also spent time coaching the baseball team, and coached Haskell Indian Institute for four seasons enjoying a 26-15-2 record. Dietz landed at his final stop at Albright College in 1937, earning a 31-23-2 record over six campaigns before the school discontinued football for World War II. Dietz played tackle for Pop Warner at Carlisle Indian Industrial School. He contributed to the World War I effort by coaching the Mare Island Marines guiding the squad to an appearance in the 1919 Rose Bowl. A Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame member, Dietz's Native American garb inspired Boston Braves owner George Preston Marshall, whom Dietz was serving as head coach, to rename the club the Redskins.