Bill Dellinger died: American middle-distance runner Bill Dellinger died on June 27, 2025, at the age of 91. He ran the 5,000 m at the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics, and he won a bronze medal in 1964.
His full name was William Solon Dellinger, who was born on March 23, 1934, in Grants Pass, Oregon, United States. He also worked as a coach. After retirement, he began working as an assistant coach to Bill Bowerman for the Oregon Ducks track and field team. He became head coach after Bill Bowerman’s retirement. He received five NCAA titles and achieved 108 All-American honors in his coaching career.
He also trained star Steve Prefontaine, who passed away on May 30, 1975, at the age of 24 in Eugene, Oregon, U.S. In his life, a film was made named Prefontaine. He held records in distances from 2,000 to 10,000 meters.
“For your dedication and loyalty
To your principles and beliefs…
For your love, warmth, and friendship
For your family and friends…
You are missed by so many
And you will never be forgotten…”
He retired from the University of Oregon in 1998 and later joined his mentor, Bill Bowerman, as an inductee in the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2001, but retired after a stroke in 2000.
He received their Dellinger Legend Coach Award in 2001. He introduced the USTFCCCA Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame in 2024.
Nephew Trevor Morgan wrote on Instagram, “It is with an extremely heavy heart to say that we have lost a LEGEND today. My Uncle Bill Dellinger passed away peacefully with his family by his side… Coach is running with (Pre) once again.”
Rudy Chapa (former athlete under Dellinger’s wing) said,
“Coach Bill Dellinger was one of the greatest coaches ever. …He gave us so much more than guidance on the track; he gave us his heart. Bill was deeply loved, and he will be profoundly missed by his athletes, the Eugene‑Springfield community, and the entire world of track and field.”
