Larry Dippel

Who is Larry Dippel?

Larry Dippel is a well-known former American football coach.

Dippel was born in the small farm community of Sagerton near Stamford, Texas. He attended Stamford High School where was part of the 1955 and 1956 Texas 2A state championship teams. Though recruited by Sammy Baugh to play at Hardin-Simmons University, Baugh left the school for the New York Titans in 1960. Under his successor Howard McChesney, Hardin-Simmons went a combined 0-20-0 in 1960 and 1961.

In 1971 Dippel began his head coaching career at Hereford High School, but left in 1975 for the head coaching job at Amarillo High School. Though Amarillo had been a true dynasty under Blair Cherry in 1930s, the Sandies had not make the playoffs since 1959. Dippel turned around the program, leading the Sandies to 222 wins and 23 playoff appearances until his retirement in 2005.

Throughout his career as a Texas high school coach, his teams have won 14 district championships and made 20 playoff appearances. He is winner of numerous coaching awards including district coach of the year 12 times, Panhandle coach of the year four times, the 1993 Tom Landry Award and High School Extra “Coach Who Made a Difference” award.