[1][2] Born in Galion, Ohio,[3] Dickerson was raised in southern California and attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles.

UCLA lost the opener to #21 Pittsburgh on September 20, won at Illinois, then were shut out 14–0 at Oregon State.

[7] Bill Barnes was named acting head coach for the Friday night game against Florida on October 10 (and continued through the 1964) season).

Dickerson had been re-admitted to the UCLA Medical Center late the previous evening, again suffering from nervous exhaustion.

[8][9][10] Dickerson was one of three assistants from the national championship season of 1954 to later lead the Bruins as head coach, along with Barnes and Tommy Prothro.