Jess Hill

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Jess Hill (January 20, 1907 – 1993) was an American athlete, coach, and college administrator who spent six decades at the University of Southern California (USC) and in California sports. He played multiple sports at USC, then became a major figure in coaching and athletic leadership.

Early life and USC days
Hill was born in Yates, Missouri, and moved with his family to Corona, California. He attended Corona High School and Riverside Junior College before transferring to USC, where he earned letters in football, track, and baseball. In football, he played fullback for the 1928 USC national championship team and helped the 1929 squad win the Rose Bowl. In track, he won the national broad jump title in 1929, and in baseball he was a conference batting champion as a senior in 1930.

Professional playing career
After college, Hill played professional baseball, starting with the Hollywood Stars in the Pacific Coast League. His contract was later sold to the New York Yankees, and he reached the Major Leagues as a left fielder from 1935 to 1937, also playing for the Washington Senators and the Philadelphia Athletics. He finished his MLB career with a .289 batting average, 6 home runs, and 277 hits.

Coaching beginnings and wartime service
Hill began coaching in California during baseball off-seasons. He was co-head football coach at Riverside Junior College from 1930 to 1933 and led Corona High School’s football team from 1934 to 1939. He then moved to Long Beach Junior College to coach football and track. During World War II, he served as a Navy lieutenant and helped with the V-5 aviation cadet program before returning to USC in 1946 to coach freshman football and track.

USC coaching and leadership
Hill became USC’s head track coach in 1949–1950, winning national titles in both years. He served as USC’s head football coach from 1951 to 1956, compiling a 45–17–1 record and leading the team to two Rose Bowl appearances after the 1952 and 1954 seasons. Notable players who starred under him included Frank Gifford, Rudy Bukich, Jim Sears, and Jon Arnett. A 1956 season opener at Texas highlighted his commitment to an integrated team, and USC finished strong by beating UCLA and Notre Dame that year.

In 1957, Hill became USC’s athletic director, a post he held until 1972. Under his leadership, USC won 29 national championships across several sports. He later became commissioner of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, retiring in 1978.

Later life and legacy
Hill died in 1993 in Pasadena, California, at the age of 86 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He had one daughter and one son. He was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. Hill is remembered for his rare achievement of playing for and later coaching Rose Bowl champions, and for shaping USC’s athletic success for many years.