Pete Cawthon was a great example of the overlapping of various sports in the early part of the 20th century. While he was best known for coaching at Texas Technological College, which is now known as Texas Tech, he began his coaching career at Rice. However, he was not the head football coach; rather, he coached the baseball and basketball teams.
Cawthon was definitely not an unknown commodity when he became Texas Tech’s third football coach. One of the men who recommended him for the job was none other than Knute Rockne. Cawthon compiled an impressive 76-32-6 record at Texas Tech, and oversaw two dominating seasons. In 1932 Texas Tech led the nation in scoring, compiling 382 points in twelve games, and in 1938 Cawthorn led his team to a 10-1 record, with his only loss coming in the Cotton Bowl to Saint Mary’s (CA).
Today Cawthon remains as Texas Tech’s all time leader in winning percentage, and is second in total victories. His life story is told in Tender Tyrant: The Legend of Pete Cawthon, by Etta Lynch.
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