University Southern California Trojans
Two USC Legends Named College Coaches Of The Century
February 07, 2000 | Baseball
Feb. 7, 2000
LOS ANGELES -- Legendary USC coaches Rod Dedeaux and Dean Cromwell were named College Coaches of the Century in their sports in the February issue of Coach & Athletic Director Magazine.
Dedeaux led the Trojan baseball team to an unprecedented 11 College World Series titles (including 5 in a row in the 1970s) and amassed a 1,332-571-11 record during his 45-year (1942-86) tenure at Troy.
Cromwell won a record 12 NCAA outdoor track and field championships (including 9 in a row in the 1930s) and had a dual meet record of 109-48-1 in a USC career than spanned 1909 through 1948. He produced 33 individual NCAA winners and a gold medalist in every Olympics from 1912 to 1948.
"USC was considered 'Coach U.' in the middle decades of the 20th century," wrote Coach & Athletic Director writer Herman L. Masin. "While Dean Cromwell was winning everything in track, Rod Dedeaux was doing it in baseball.
"Long before track became a commercial vehicle for great athletes, Cromwell--USC's "Maker of Champions"--was producing an astonishing string of champions and championships. He made USC the capital of track in the U.S.
"Dedeaux, the brilliant, outgoing technician and strategist, compiled the most intimidating record in college baseball."
Former USC track coaches Jess Mortensen and Jim Bush were listed as runners-up for the honor for "plying their trade with enormous brilliance and success over the recently departed century."
Coach & Athletic Director magazine also selected Coaches of the Century in football (Notre Dame's Knute Rockne), men's basketball (UCLA's John Wooden) and women's basketball (Tennessee's Pat Summitt).
