Coach McClendon was a wonderful person who continued to help others and give back to the community. I feel so fortunate to have known such a magnificent person and I can't praise him enough for the impact he had on my life. He is a large reason I am where I am today and I will never forget him or what he stood for. He held a love for LSU and the Baton Rouge community that was immeasurable. He gave me the opportunity to come to LSU and financially helped my family in a time of need. His selflessness was an example to us all, and I certainly learned a great deal from him. He stressed character and doing what's right, but until his death, I did not fully understand what great character meant. I have a promise to keep his dreams alive and like his tremendous generosity, I will never forget the people who made any success in my life possible. The world lost a great man, but his spirit will be carried on by all of the countless lives in which he affected. I guess this is the greatest gift we can give the man that gave so much to our university and community. Thanks Coach Mac, we all love you and we all will miss you very much.
-- Garrett Masters
A little bit about the great LSU Coach:
McClendon was the winningest coach in LSU football history, as in 18 seasons (1962-79) at the helm of the Fighting Tiger program, he directed his teams to a 137-59-7 (.692) mark and 13 bowl appearances.
McClendon, who played for Paul Bear Bryant as a tight end at Kentucky in 1949 and 50, came to LSU in 1953 as an assistant coach, and he helped lead the Tigers to the 1958 national championship. He was elevated to head coach after the 1961 season, when Paul Dietzel left for West Point to coach Army.
McClendon was named SEC Coach of the Year in 1969 and 1970, and he was voted National Coach of the Year in 1970 after leading the Tigers to a 9-3 overall mark and the conference championship.
McClendon produced 16 winning seasons at LSU, and his players earned 21 first-team all-America and 56 first-team all-SEC honors during his tenure. His teams compiled six 9-win seasons, and 11 of his LSU squads won at least eight games.
After leaving LSU, McClendon became executive director of the Tangerine (now Florida Citrus) Bowl from 1980-81, and he served as executive director of the American Football Coaches Association from 1982-94. In recent years, he administered a scholarship fund for the children of former LSU football players.
McClendon, a native of Lewisville, Ark., was inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1986, and he is a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. He was presented in January, 2001, with a Lifetime Achievement Award in conjunction with the Paul Bear Bryant Coach of the Year ceremony.
Charles McClendon's LSU Record
Overall SEC
