DeWitt Weaver

For his son, see DeWitt Weaver (golfer).

DeWitt Weaver
Weaver (left) in 1955
Biographical details
Born(1912-05-11)May 11, 1912
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJanuary 19, 1998(1998-01-19) (aged 85)
Daphne, Alabama, U.S.
Playing career
1934–1936Tennessee
Position(s)Guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1938–1941Centre (line)
1946–1948Mississippi State (line)
1949–1950Tulsa (assistant)
1951–1960Texas Tech
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1952–1960Texas Tech
Head coaching record
Overall49–51–5
Bowls2–1
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
4 Border (1951, 1953–1955)

DeWitt Thompson Weaver Sr. (May 11, 1912 – January 19, 1998) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 1951 to 1960.[1]

He was the first head football coach at Texas Tech to win a bowl game during his first season—an accomplishment unmatched at Texas Tech until Tommy Tuberville's first season, in 2010.[2]

In 1955, he became the first college coach to defeat the Texas Longhorns in a season-opener in Austin.[3] He amassed a 49–51–5 record.[4]

From 1952 to 1960, he also served as the athletic director at Texas Technological College, as Texas Tech University was then known.[3]

His son, DeWitt Jr., was a professional golfer who won twice on the PGA Tour.[5]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Texas Tech Red Raiders (Border Conference) (1951–1955)
1951 Texas Tech 7–4 4–0 1st W Sun
1952 Texas Tech 3–7–1 2–1–1 2nd
1953 Texas Tech 11–1 5–0 1st W Gator 12 12
1954 Texas Tech 7–2–1 4–0 1st
1955 Texas Tech 7–3–1 3–0–1 1st L Sun
Texas Tech Red Raiders (Independent) (1956–1959)
1956 Texas Tech 2–7–1
1957 Texas Tech 2–8
1958 Texas Tech 3–7
1959 Texas Tech 4–6
Texas Tech Red Raiders (Southwest Conference) (1960)
1960 Texas Tech 3–6–1 1–5–1 6th
Texas Tech: 49–51–5 19–6–3
Total: 49–51–5
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

  1. ^ "DeWitt Thompson Weaver dies, 01/21/98 | Jacksonville.com". Archived from the original on January 6, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
  2. ^ Harland, C. W. "Pete" (March 20, 2011). "Tuberville wasn't first coach to win bowl in first Tech year". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. p. A12. Retrieved March 27, 2011. In Weaver's first season the Texas Tech Red Raiders defeated the Tigers of the University of the Pacific in the Sun Bowl on New Year's Day 1952. The score was 25 to 14.
  3. ^ a b "Traditions: Texas Tech Hall of Honor (Last name U-Z)". Texas Tech Athletics. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
  4. ^ Hyman, Mervin (December 5, 1960). "Football's 11th Week". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
  5. ^ Williams, Don (July 31, 2004). "Weaver returns to West Texas roots at tourney". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved November 1, 2008.


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