An early stop on Spike Dykes' long, winding road to Texas Tech and everlasting glory as the king of coaching characters was San Angelo, where he worked for Emory Bellard, inventor of the Wishbone. Unfortunately, Spike was also the swimming coach. To say he wasn't particularly suited for the position is being kind. Had he fallen into the pool, he might have drowned.
Nevertheless, he coached 'em up as best he could, in a style uniquely Spike's.
"Remember to hold your breath," he told his charges, "and never get too far from the bank."
Spike, whose heart gave out Monday at 79, may have been more beloved by his peers than any winning coach in the annals of Texas football.