Sport(s) Football 1955–1958 Nevada Education Pepperdine University 1953–1954 Pepperdine Died April 22, 1993 | 1952 Pepperdine (asst.) Name Gordon McEachron Alma mater Pepperdine University Overall 15–31–1 | |
Gordon T. McEachron (January 19, 1919 – April 22, 1993) was an American college football coach and United States Army Air Forces officer. He served as the head coach at the University of Nevada, Reno from 1955 to 1958 and Pepperdine University from 1953 to 1954.
Biography
A native of Los Angeles, McEachon was born on January 19, 1919 and served in the United States Army Air Forces. The Los Angeles Times described him as "tall, blondish, personable, and a convincing speaker." In 1945, at the rank of captain, he was held as a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany. He attended Pepperdine College in Malibu, California and graduated in 1948.
McEachron then joined the athletic staff at his alma mater as a trainer. In 1952, he was an assistant coach to Robert "Duck" Dowell, the Pepperdine basketball coach who had temporarily also taken over responsibilities for the football team. McEachron succeeded Dowell the following season. He served as the head football coach from 1953 to 1954 and compiled a 9–8 record.
He accepted the same position at Nevada in 1955 for a $7,300 salary. The university had demoted its football program from major college football status in 1951 due to a budget deficit, and had struggled to remain competitive. In 1956, the Nevada alumni association raised $4,500 for a part-time work program for football players. The initiative, however, failed, and in October 1957, McEachron supported the players in their petition for a renewal of free room and board for the team during the season. They offered to work part-time campus jobs in exchange. McEachron said, "We're not trying to go big-time again, just to compete on an equal basis."
McEachron offered his resignation on October 30, 1957, which reportedly "came as a complete surprise" to the athletic director. Dr. Art Broten said, "But I am totally indifferent—Mac took the job with the understanding we gave no aid to athletes." McEachron remained on for one more year, and resigned for good in 1959. He had compiled a 6–23–1 record at Nevada.