The Baseball NW Blog

Fresh off his induction into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Coach Jack Dunn sat down with me [Mark Hills] and talked a little baseball. We chatted for about 90 minutes; it was essentially an extension of a conversation we started just a couple weeks earlier at the Oregon Coaches Meeting in Corvallis, OR.

It was an absolute pleasure to have had the opportunity to sit with Coach and pick his brain about his life in baseball as a coach and player. We discussed everything from his days as a player in the Dodger Organization to his summer fishing trips to Alaska and everything baseball in between.

I only recently met Coach Dunn and although I never played for him, calling him Coach felt perfectly comfortable and even natural. He has coached so many tremendous players; Dale Murphy, Jeff Lahti, Eric Gunderson and the late Steve Olin to name a few. Still, today, the mark he left on the game, especially in the northwest is still evident today.

Many of the great local coaches have either played for or coached under Jack. He has a unique ability to relate to both his players and coaches that stems from a mutual respect they have for each other. He really listened to his players and coaches to best provide the knowledge and instruction to not only create winning programs but also to create successful, well educated men.

Many coaches around the Northwest all say the same things about Coach. They loved playing for him because they knew he cared about each player individually. They loved to coach for him because he gave his assistants the ability to coach and really contribute allowing them to grow as coaches and as mentors.

Everyone loved Coach, although their love for him stemmed from many different circumstances. Some loved him as a coach and still talk with him on a regular basis while some really butted heads with him on the field. It is no secret Coach Dunn had a dominating personality and could be a little intimidating at times.

But both types of players respected him and grew to love him even more after their playing days were over.

I just want to thank Coach Dunn for allowing me the chance to talk with him. I really enjoyed getting to know him over the past couple weeks and I hope you enjoy a little bit of the conversation we had at the coffee shop.

Click here to read Part 2 of the interview with Jack Dunn.

*Jack Dunn’s Accomplishments:
• Player in the Los Angeles Dodger Organization
• 14 years as head coach at Cleveland High School, one championship
• 5 years as head coach at Wilson High School, one championship
• 20 years as head coach at Portland State University
• 630 collegiate wins
• 20 consecutive winning seasons
• 2 conference championships
• Member of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
• Member of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame

Click here to read Part 2 of the interview with Jack Dunn.

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