Sunday, 24 November 2024

John McKay

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Coaches 2024
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Sport(s): Football
Statistics: 4 NCAA National Championships (1962, 1967, 1972 & 1974)
9 AAWU/Pac-8 Coach of the Year Awards (1962, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973 & 1974)
2 AFCA Coach of the Year Awards (1962 & 1972)
127-40-8 NCAA Record
6-3 Bowl Record
44-88-1 NFL Record
Member of the College Football Hall of Fame
Member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ring of Honor
John McKay played his college ball at Oregon, joining the coaching staff when his playing days ended. An assistant for nine years, McKay moved south to USC, where he was an assistant for one year before he was promoted to the Trojans’ head coach in 1960.

McKay’s head coaching start resulted in sub .500 teams in years one and two, but he was recruiting an eventual powerhouse. USC went from 4-5-1 in 1961 to 12-0 in 1962 with a National Championship and Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin.

McKay’s Trojans remained a powerhouse in the Pac-8. From 1966 to 1969, McKay guided USC to the Rose Bowl, winning two, including a National Championship in 1967. He would have another streak of Rose Bowl appearances, 1972-1974, with wins in 1972 and 1974, both of which would gain him a National Championship. McKay would have an overall record of 127-40-8 at USC, one of the best in conference history.

McKay, who rejected multiple overtures from the NFL, accepted the head coaching role for the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs offered McKay a substantial financial reward, and it was the ultimate challenge to take a team from the ground up. Tampa made it to the NFC Championship in 1979 and two more playoffs, but his overall record was 44 games below .500.

His NFL shortcomings aside, the king of the fast quips is worthy of being considered for this Hall of Fame.

We are proud to nominate John McKay for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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