The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2017
Sport: Football (1967-69)
Inducted: 2017
In 1969, as the Texas Football team was celebrating as National Champions in the midst of one of the finest eras of Longhorns football, a friendly debate about who was the team's most valuable player arose among the stars of the class. The MVP choice could have been running backs Ted Koy and Jim Bertelsen, or bruising All-American fullback Steve Worster. There were other All-Americans and eight All-SWC players to choose from. Quarterback James Street, of course, was the odds-on choice. Finally, center Forrest Wiegand pled his own case. "Actually, James," he said, "it's me...because you can't do anything unless I give you the ball." It was the observation from a man who would spend a lifetime in football, giving other people the ball. A native of Edna, Texas, Wiegand came to Texas as an all-around football player and became the starting center midway through his sophomore season. With Wiegand as the lynchpin of the offensive line in the Wishbone offense in 1968 and 1969, the Longhorns carved out a record of 20-1-1, including a National Championship, two SWC titles and two Cotton Bowl victories. After spending a year as a graduate assistant coach at UT, Wiegand worked three years as an assistant coach at Austin Westlake before moving to LaPorte, where he became one of the most beloved figures in LaPorte High School history. Wiegand, who retired from coaching after 29 years at LHS, led the team to nine playoff appearances in 15 years as a head coach. He continued to teach and serve as an administrator until his retirement several years ago.
