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Show GIDDINGS crippled by resignation, dissention Utah's losing football season also produced the loss of head coach Mike Giddings, who had survived as Utah's football mentor for two years. Following the resignation of all but one of his assistant coaches, Giddings resigned at the season's end. Coach Giddings stated that he was leaving Utah in the best interest of the athletic program. Giddings was a demanding coach and the people under him either accepted his philosophy wholeheartedly, or got out. Facing Utah's toughest schedule in history and the biggest rebuilding program in the nation, Giddings' squad could never quite seem to jell and the blame always seemed to find final resting with the coach. Despite .his unfortunate reign at Utah, Giddings did instill the determination to win and a never-give-up attitude in all of his players. He helped produce outstanding players during his stay at Utah such as quarterback Jack Gehrke, all-conference linebacker Norm Chow, halfback Charlie Smith, and linebacker Jerome Lawson. Coach Giddings was a task master at evoking school spirit and augmented the spirits of the student body by having the team present in full force at rallies and bonfires clad loyally in crisp crimson jackets and gray slacks which the mentor inaugurated. He and his wife Donna resurrected a traditional U lighting ceremony and attended the first recent illuminating of Utah's block U. His players respectfully called him "The General," and while under fire of those closest to him, his team stood steadfast in devotion. Mike Giddings/Heac/ Football Coach W^S\::yMrf lit;.Ill m ^s = :.....;¦ *lsi«t- Jim, iiliiipi M I Jfc III; liSiiiillS'S: liliiBifiiiiiil \ . "„ |