Joe Aillet
 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 13, 1904New York City, U.S. |
| Died | December 28, 1971 (aged 67)Ruston, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1926 | Southwestern LA (SA) |
| 1927–1935 | Haynesville HS (LA) |
| 1936–1939 | Louisiana Normal (backfeld) |
| 1940–1966 | Louisiana Tech |
| Basketball | |
| 1926–1927 | Southwestern LA (SA) |
| 1944–1945 | Louisiana Tech |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1940–1970 | Louisiana Tech |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 151–86–8 (college football)5–12 (college basketball) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| Football3 Louisiana Intercollegiate (1941, 1945, 1947)9 Gulf States (1949, 1952–1953, 1955, 1957–1960, 1964) | |
| Awards | |
| Football4× Gulf States Coach of the YearGeneralLouisiana Tech Athletic Hall of Fame (1984)Louisiana Sports Hall of FameHoly Cross School Sports Hall of Fame (2018) | |
| College Football Hall of FameInducted in 1989 (profile) | |
Joseph Roguet Aillet (born Joseph Fuourka,[1] September 13, 1904 – December 28, 1971) was an American football and basketball coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Louisiana Tech University from 1940 to 1966, compiling a record of 151–86–8. Additionally, under Aillet, the Bulldogs won nine conference championships. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Joe Aillet Stadium, the home of the Louisiana Tech football team, was dedicated in Aillet's honor in 1972.
Early life and education
Childhood
Aillet was brought in 1905 from the New York Foundling in New York City to Opelousas in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, on an Orphan Train. Upon arriving at Youngsville on the orphan train, Father Johanni Roguet, the priest at St. Ann's Catholic Church, claimed the child. Since the priest could not legally adopt a child, he handed over the responsibilities of raising the baby to a widow named Eliza Aillet. From these two individuals, Joseph Fuourka was renamed Joseph Roguet Aillet.[2]
Education
Aillet entered Holy Cross High School in New Orleans as a boarding student in sixth grade. During his high school years he played football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was also a member of the Dramatics Club and [3] served as vice-president of the Class of 1923 and held leadership positions in nearly every school society. After graduating in 1923 he attended St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. While at St. Edward's, Aillet played quarterback[3] and participated in all other sports under coach Jack Meagher. He joined the coaching staff at Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) while he completed his work on a bachelor's degree in 1927. He then worked at Haynesville High School for nine years while he completed his master's degree from Louisiana State University.
Coaching
On the high school level, Aillet's teams at Haynesville won three championships during his 1927 to 1935 tenure. He was the first president of the Louisiana High School Coaches Association.[4]
Aillet was backfield coach at Louisiana Normal for four years.[3]
In addition to his success as a college football coach, Aillet obtained great success as the coach for the Louisiana Tech golf team. From 1952 to 1968, Louisiana Tech's golf team won the Gulf States Conference title 10 times in 15 seasons under Aillet.
Administration
Aillet was the first president of the Gulf States Conference.[4] From 1940 to 1970, he was Louisiana Tech's athletic director.[5]
Death
On December 28, 1971, Aillet died of cancer at age 67.[6]
Recognition
Aillet is a member of the Louisiana Tech Athletic Hall of Fame, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Holy Cross School Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, and the NAIA Hall of Fame.[7]
Head coaching record
Football
References
- ^"Jeff Driskel's second act: How the ex-Florida QB has gone about rejuvenating his career at Louisiana Tech". Sports Illustrated. ABG-SI LLC. December 15, 2015. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^Joe Aillet Bio from Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
- ^ abc"Athletes To Fete Joe Aillet Today". Monroe Morning World. Louisiana, Monroe. October 12, 1963. p. 11. Retrieved January 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ abMcIntyre, Bill (March 31, 1967). "Joe Aillet Resigns as La. Tech Football Coach After 26 Seasons; Stays On as Athletic Director". The Times. Louisiana, Shreveport. p. C 1. Retrieved January 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^"Joe Aillet". Hall of Fame. National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Inc. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
- ^McIntyre, Bill (December 29, 1971). "The 'Coach' Has Retired". The Times. Louisiana, Shreveport. p. C 1. Retrieved January 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Aswell, Thomas (December 29, 1971). "Aillet Was 'Inspiration' To Athletes". The Times. Louisiana, Shreveport. p. C 1. Retrieved January 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- 1904 births
- 1971 deaths
- Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and Lady Techsters athletic directors
- Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball coaches
- Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football coaches
- Northwestern State Demons football coaches
- St. Edward's Crusaders football players
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette alumni
- College golf coaches in Louisiana
- High school football coaches in Louisiana
- College Football Hall of Fame inductees
- Holy Cross High School (New Orleans) alumni
- Louisiana State University alumni
- St. Edward's University alumni
- Sportspeople from Manhattan
- Sportspeople from Opelousas, Louisiana
- Coaches of American football from Louisiana
- Players of American football from New Orleans
- Basketball coaches from Louisiana
- 20th-century American sportsmen
- Players of American football from St. Landry Parish, Louisiana