What Is 1960 LSU Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1960 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1960 NCAA University Division season, finishing with a 5–5 record under head coach Paul Dietzel, their final season under his leadership.

Key Facts

The 1960 LSU Tigers finished with a 5–5 overall record
Paul Dietzel was head coach for his final season in 1960
LSU played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
The team won 3 of 6 conference games
They did not participate in a bowl game

Overview

The 1960 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1960 NCAA University Division football season. Led by head coach Paul Dietzel, the team competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and finished with a 5–5 overall record, marking a downturn from their dominant 1958 national championship season.

This season was notable for being Dietzel’s final year at LSU after seven seasons, including a national title in 1958. The Tigers struggled with consistency, winning three of their six SEC matchups but failing to qualify for a postseason bowl game.

Overall record: The 1960 LSU Tigers finished 5–5, their first losing season since 1954, reflecting a transition phase for the program.
Head coach: Paul Dietzel led the team for the seventh and final time, stepping down after the season to become the athletic director at West Point.
Conference performance: LSU went 3–3 in the SEC, defeating teams like Mississippi State and Vanderbilt but losing key games to Ole Miss and Georgia Tech.
Home stadium: The Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which had a capacity of approximately 65,000 at the time.
Bowl eligibility: With a .500 record, LSU did not qualify for a bowl game, ending a streak of three consecutive bowl appearances from 1957 to 1959.

Season Performance

The 1960 campaign saw LSU face a mix of regional rivals and non-conference opponents, with mixed results. The team showed flashes of competitiveness but lacked the depth and execution seen in prior years.

Season opener: LSU defeated Rice 21–7 on September 24, 1960, setting a positive tone with a strong defensive performance.
Key loss: A 21–14 defeat to #6 Ole Miss on October 22 halted any hopes of an SEC title run and exposed offensive inconsistencies.
Offensive stats: The Tigers averaged 17.9 points per game, down from 25.7 in 1959, indicating a decline in offensive production.
Defensive effort: LSU allowed 17.5 points per game, nearly matching their scoring output, highlighting a lack of margin for error.
Home record: The team went 3–2 at Tiger Stadium, losing close games to Tennessee and Florida, which proved critical to their final record.
Rivalry game: LSU lost to in-state rival Tulane 14–13 on November 19, a rare defeat that underscored the team’s struggles in close contests.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1960 season can be better understood by comparing it to LSU’s previous and subsequent campaigns, particularly the championship year of 1958.

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game
1958	11–0	6–0	Paul Dietzel	1959 Sugar Bowl (won)
1959	5–4–1	4–2–1	Paul Dietzel	1960 Sugar Bowl (lost)
1960	5–5	3–3	Paul Dietzel	None
1961	5–5	3–4	Jim Mora (first year)	None
1962	8–3	5–3	Jim Mora	1962 Liberty Bowl (won)

This table illustrates the decline from the peak in 1958 to the mediocrity of 1960, followed by a gradual rebuild under new coach Jim Mora. The 1960 season was a transitional year, marked by the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for LSU football.

Why It Matters

The 1960 LSU Tigers season is significant as a turning point in the program’s history, bridging the successful Dietzel era and the rebuilding years under Jim Mora. It reflects the volatility of college football and the challenges of sustaining elite performance.

End of an era: Paul Dietzel’s departure marked the end of LSU’s first national championship era, which began with the 1958 title.
Coaching transition: Jim Mora took over in 1961, eventually laying groundwork for future competitiveness in the 1960s.
Recruiting shifts: The 1960 season highlighted the need for stronger recruiting, especially on offense, to remain competitive in the SEC.
Program stability: Despite a losing record, LSU maintained strong fan support, showing the resilience of its football culture.
Historical context: The season occurred during a period of integration in college football, though LSU did not field Black players until the 1970s.
Legacy impact: The 1960 team is remembered as a bridge between eras, helping shape LSU’s long-term football identity.

While not a standout season in terms of wins, the 1960 LSU Tigers played a crucial role in the evolution of one of college football’s most storied programs, setting the stage for future successes.