June 1, 1964 - Frank (Pop) Ivy (pictured in 1961) was dismissed as head coach of the Houston Oilers of the AFL today, and the job was given to Sammy Baugh, the former NFL passing star, who had been hired by Ivy as his assistant two weeks ago.
Ivy was also relieved as general manager, but K.S. (Bud) Adams Jr., owner of the club, said Ivy would be paid for the remaining nine months of his two-year contract. Baugh was given a one-year contract. Carroll Martin, the assistant general manager, was named general manager.
Ivy learned on reporting for work today that he had lost his job. Adams said he had decided over the weekend to make the change.
Adams said that the fans believed Ivy could not do the job. “There’s been a lot of build-up and pressure put on the Houston organization,” Adams said. “We’re supposedly a profit-making organization, and the fans are our payday. An opinion has been built up among the fans that Pop can’t cut the mustard, and we have to have the fans with us. This town just doesn’t go for losers.”
The Oilers’ 6-8 record last season was their first losing season after three straight Eastern Division titles and two league championships. Ivy had an 11-3 record in 1962, his first season in charge, but the Oilers lost to Dallas in the title game.
This will be Baugh’s second job in the AFL as a head coach. He signed a three-year contract with the New York Titans, now the Jets, when the league was formed in 1960 but was discharged after the club posted a 14-14 record for 1960 and 1961.
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