Sport(s) | Football, basketball |
---|---|
Biographical details | |
Born |
Denison, Iowa |
August 14, 1907
Died | February 6, 1979 Sacramento, California |
(aged 71)
Playing career | |
Football | |
1929–1931 | USC |
Position(s) | Guard |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
Football | |
1933–1934 | Iowa State Teachers |
1935 | Omaha Municipal (line) |
1942 | George Washington |
1947 | Denver (line) |
1948–1952 | Denver |
1953–1956 | Washington (assistant) |
1957–1960 | Sacramento State |
Basketball | |
1935–1938 | Omaha Municipal (line) |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 44–67–4 (college) |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Awards | |
All-American, 1930 All-American, 1931 |
|
College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1983 (profile) |
|
John W. "Johnny" "Bake" Baker (August 14, 1907 – February 6, 1979) was an American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Southern California, where he was a two-time All-American at guard. Baker served as the head football coach at Iowa State Teachers College—now the University of Northern Iowa (1933–1934), George Washington University (1942), the University of Denver (1948–1952) and Sacramento State College—now California State University, Sacramento (1957–1960), compiling a career college football coaching record of 44–67–4. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1983.
Baker earned varsity letters at USC in 1929, 1930, and 1931. He played in the 1930 and the 1932 Rose Bowl, kicking five points after touchdowns. He kicked the winning 33-yard field goal with one minute to go in USC's game against the Notre Dame in 1931. It was USC's first victory in South Bend. Baker was an all-conference first-teamer in 1930 and 1931 and was invited to participate in a demonstration game of American football at the 1932 Summer Olympics, but he declined. At USC, Baker was initiated as a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.
After leaving USC, Baker coached football at Iowa State Teachers College, Municipal University of Omaha, the University of Denver, Sacramento State College, University of Washington, and Sacramento City College. He was also the athletic director at Sacramento State.