It was to be a new coach ushering in a new era beginning in 1969; Bill Beall was hired from Charlie McClendon’s successful LSU staff. His first order of business was to paint what seemed like absolutely everything within reach of the athletic department offices green. His purpose was “to inject a new spirit and unity” into the football program. Unfortunately his subsequent three-year record later made his dedication to the overwhelming influx of lime green to the campus a point of derision. The team also took the field in new uniforms, including a white helmet shell that was adorned with a Green Bay Gold one-inch center stripe flanked by three-quarter-inch dark “Baylor green” stripes. A dark “Baylor green” interlocking “BU” logo on each side of the shell and a commemorative decal celebrating the 100^th year of collegiate football across the rear of the helmet made for a smart look. His first season unfortunately, was not successful by any measure, not with a 0-10 record. However one of his most positive accomplishments was to bring Roger Goree with him from Louisiana to Baylor. While Beall was at LSU, Goree had grown up with the Beall children and was a member of the Little League baseball team that Beall coached. From the outset, even with the frosh squad, Goree was a source of pride for the entire team and always one of its best players. By his senior season he was an All American performer. Beall lost his debut 45-15 to Kansas State and their fine QB Lynn Dickey and unfortunately, that would be a typical result for the entire 1969 season. Beall had looked forward to facing off against his former LSU Tiger team but limped away with a crushing 63-8 defeat. Despite the horror of the winless season, OT Richard Stevens, Center Calvin Hunt who played with the Eagles and Oilers in a four year pro career, and DT Tommy Reaux stood out. Reaux in fact was named to the Baylor All Decade Team of the 1960’s, later coached on the Texas staff before becoming a high school coach, and his son Jason played DB for Baylor in the mid-2000’s. Punter Ed Marsh was the best in the country, obviously and unfortunately getting a great deal of game day experience and was named to the All Conference team.

If interested in any of these Baylor helmets please click on the photos below.