The new head coach would be Hayden Fry, a former All State quarterback at Odessa, Texas High School who had known a great deal of success. He led his prep team to the State Championships, was a star at Baylor, left the U.S. Marine Corps as a captain, and served as an assistant under Southwest Conference innovators John Bridgers at Baylor and Frank Broyles at Arkansas. He was an enthusiastic cheerleader and an offensive coach who could have used more offense in his first season at the SMU helm. The final tally for ’62 was 2-8 but fans were impressed by the team’s grit and they played every conference game closely, losing 6-0 to Texas and 9-7 to Arkansas. None of their SWC losses were by more than six points. That the Mustangs had to overcome the tragedy of having center/linebacker Mike Kelsey die from heat stroke the day following Fry’s inaugural practice, and did so with resiliency won the new SMU coach the SWC Coach Of The Year Award. The Mike Kelsey Award is still given annually for attitude, desire, and hustle. Thin 218 pound tackle Ray Schoenke, recruited out of the Punahou School in Hawaii was the only All Conference selection and he went on to a pro career with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington that lasted from 1963 through ‘75. Fry marked his inaugural season with the introduction of a red helmet with white player numerals on each side.
 

 

 

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

 

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