Sport(s) Football 1935 Omaha Municipal (line) 1933–1934 Iowa State Teachers | Position(s) Guard 1929–1931 USC Name Johnny Baker | |
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Born August 14, 1907
Denison, Iowa ( 1907-08-14 ) Died February 6, 1979(1979-02-06) (aged 71)
Sacramento, California | ||
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.
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Playing career
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.
Coaching career
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.
Honors
Baker was inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame in 1961, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983, the University of Southern California Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997, and the Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame in 2006.