 Born in Lubbock, Texas and raised in Ballinger, William Taylor "Spike" Dykes graduated from Ballinger High School in 1955 and Stephen F. Austin State University in 1959.At Stephen F. Austin, Dykes played center on the Lumberjacks football team.Upon graduation, he served in several high school head and assistant coaching positions, including a stint as defensive coordinator under Emory Bellard at San Angelo Central High School in San Angelo, Texas.