Lon Stiner

Background

Stiner was born June 20, 1903 at Hastings, Nebraska.

Education

He graduated from the University of Nebraska.

Career

He served as the head football coach at Oregon State University from 1933 to 1948, compiling a record of 74–49–17. He was captain of the football team and gained All-America honors. Stiner moved to Oregon State in 1928, where he served as an instructor, track coach and assistant football coach before assuming the job of head football coach in 1933.

During his tenure as head football coach of Oregon State, Stiner compiled a 74–49–17 record, setting school records for wins, and winning percentage (589).

"Iron Men" Game

Stiner coached in one of the greatest upset ties in National Collegiate Athletic Association history. On October 21, 1933, eleven Beaver "Iron Men" fought University of Southern California to a scoreless tie in what many consider to be the greatest game in Oregon State football history.

The Beavers did not make a substitution, playing only eleven men, each of whom played both ways for the entire 60 minutes. 1942 Rose Bowl

Stiner was also the head coach of another famous game in Beaver football history.

His 1941 team played in the 1942 Rose Bowl.

This game produced two important firsts. lieutenant was Ohio State University"s first-ever trip to the famous New Year"s Day classic, and it remains the only Rose Bowl ever played outside of Pasadena, California. The reason for the move out of Pasadena was due to the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

The game was played at Duke University"s Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, with the undefeated Blue Devils picked as 3–1 favorites.

Stiner, at 38, was the youngest head coach in Rose Bowl history. The Pyramid Play

Stiner also played a key role in another famous first in football history.

The pyramid play, used in blocking kicks, originated as a prank at practice. Amazingly enough, the play was successful in blocking a kick.

Stiner, upon noticing the success of the play, decided to attempt it in a game.

The play consisted of hoisting the 6"5" center, Clyde Devine, onto the shoulders of 6"2" tackles Harry Fields and Ade Schwammel. At this height in the air, Devine could reach out and knock down any ball headed for the goal posts. The first official use of the play was successfully executed against the University of Oregon in Multnomah Stadium in Portland.

The Pyramid was banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association rules committee within a year.

Despite going 5–4–3 and taking his team to the 1949 Pineapple Bowl after the 1948 season, Stiner was replaced as head coach by Kip Taylor in 1949. Stiner was 3–0 in bowl appearances.

Stiner then worked as a labor relations representative for Edward Hines Lumber Company at Westfir, Oregon. Caroline died in 1972.

Stiner suffered ill health for the last year of his life.

Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 11, at Riverview Abbey Chapel in Portland. Stiner is an inductee of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.

Achievements

• His best season came in 1939, when his team went 9–1–1 and a win in the Pineapple Bowl against Hawaii, 39–6. The Trojans, defending two-time national champions, brought an 80-man squad to Multnomah Stadium in Portland, Oregon, and saw a 25-game win streak splattered by the Beavers. Oregon State pulled off the upset and won, 20–16.