Our Arklahoma Heritage: Mena-born Dean Earnest Philpott carved out stellar sports career at Fresno State University
- Dennis McCaslin
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Dean Earnest Philpott was born on November 11, 1935, in Mena. His family later moved to Anaheim, California, where he began his athletic career.
Known as the "Anaheim Assassin" for his hard-hitting style, Philpott excelled in football and other sports before a brief professional career and a long tenure as a teacher and coach
.At Anaheim High School (Class of 1954), Philpott competed in multiple sports. He played junior varsity football, basketball, and diving as a freshman and sophomore, then moved to varsity.
As a junior halfback, he earned All Sunset League First-Team honors. As a senior fullback, he added All CIF First-Team recognition and was named Most Inspirational and Most Valuable Player, honors he had also received on JV. He participated in varsity basketball, track (1952–1953), and baseball as a senior
.His football teams reached the CIF playoffs twice, and he played in the All-Star game in San Diego and the Shrine High School game at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Philpott chose Fresno State University for its vocational teaching program as much as for football. Starting in 1954 under Coach Clark Van Galder, he played both offense (fullback) and defense (linebacker) and handled punting duties. Over four years, he set school records: 2,533–2,579 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 35 total touchdowns, and 230 points.
His senior season included 767 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He earned First-Team All-Conference for three years, California Collegiate Athletic Association First-Team twice, and All-Coast First-Team all four seasons. Many of his records stood until the mid-1990s.
Philpott roomed with teammates and joined them on hunting and fishing trips near Fresno
.The Chicago Cardinals drafted him in the 11th round (122nd overall) of the 1958 NFL Draft. He played nine games that season, rushing for 44 yards and catching four passes for 30 yards. Military service as a U.S. Army reservist kept him out in 1959. In 1960, he joined the Oakland Raiders but suffered a career-ending knee injury in preseason.
Philpott then taught for 30 years, starting at San Joaquin Memorial before moving to Sanger High School, where he instructed metal and auto shop classes. He encouraged female students to enroll.
For eight years, he assisted coaching football, baseball, basketball, and track. After retiring, he farmed oranges and coached youth teams.
He was inducted into the Fresno State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Anaheim High School Hall of Fame in 2011
.Now 90, Philpott's career spanned high school standout, record-setting college player, short NFL stint, and decades in education. He has said he never regretted his path from football to teaching.
