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TOM TIPPS - INDUCTEE #94

hall of fame fast fact:

The University of Washington lost a 1969 game to Oregon State on a pass-coverage breakdown on a last-second pass. Tom Tipps was so upset he broke his hand hitting the elevator coming out of the press box.

Tom Tipps

Tom Tipps was as tough as they come. Tipps was an outstanding football player at Quitaque and Sul Ross College before he joined the Army and saw action in the Pacific during World War II.

From 1947 to 1953, Tipps’ Pampa Harvesters were 54-17, the best winning percentage in Pampa history and the second most in wins.

Tipps was hired away to coach football at Texas A&M. He was assistant to Bryant during the famous 1954 Junction preseason camp where only thirty-five players of the 111 returned after conditioning in 114-degree heat without water during practice.

In 1957, Tipps moved to the University of Washington as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. The Huskies won the 1960 and 1961 Rose Bowls.

Tipps left the University of Washington after the 1969 season and became a scout for several NFL teams. He retired from scouting in 1987.