On January 4th Mike Giddings was named as Utah’s new head coach. He was
a Cal Berkley letter winner and a former U.S. Marine and in his one year
of high school coaching in 1959, took Monrovia High School to the
California State Championship game. He then led the moribund
two-wins-in-two-seasons Glendale (Junior) College squad to a 7 – 2 mark
which brought a four-year stint as John McKay’s defensive coordinator at
USC. He came to Utah and immediately installed USC’s I-Formation offense
in place of Nagel’s Wing T and brought a number of California junior
college All Americans with him. His new staff also included former Utah
guard and linebacker George Seifert. Giddings also redesigned the
helmet, presenting the squad in silver shells with two interlocking red
“U’s” on each side of the shell. Those expecting “USC East” were rather
excited by the squad’s 5 – 1 start with an emphasis on Ben Woodson’s
rushing from tailback. Illinois transfer Bob Trumpy added few receptions
but blocked well and was drafted in ’68 by the Bengals, working hard to
stick with the squad which led to a ten year playing career and lengthy
and distinguished broadcasting career afterwards. Manny Fernandez stood
out at tackle and Norm Chow at guard. John Stipech, an All WAC offensive
pick in ’65, again made the All Conference squad, this time as a
defensive tackle. He played for the Virginia Sailors in the Atlantic
Coast Football League. Unfortunately the team limped to a 0 – 4 finish
to complete a 5 – 5 season.
