1 hour ago, EagleVA said:

The story he told is exactly what I wrote.......he went to the library to learn the game

Really? It seems to contradict a lot of what he said in an interview here:

https://www.thegamebeforethemoney.com/what-inspired-dick-vermeil-to-coach-football/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-49-dick-vermeil-four-decade-nfl-head-coach/id1434070447?i=1000526748268

 

Based on the interview, it sounds more like he hit the books to work on his academics after his high school coach suggested to him that he could play college football. The story about how he began coaching in high school also doesn't match up with your recount. He spent his first season as an assistant coach, then was offered a head coaching job at another school.