by Jeff Benjamin
On June 27, 2025, Bill Dellinger, one of America’s finest distance runners and also one of our finest coaches, died at the age of 91. Surrounded by his family, the announcement was made by Bill Dellinger’s grandson, who asked us to get the world out on the passing of this fine man.
Bill was a three time Olympian, and in 1964, Bill Dellinger took the Olympic bronze in the 5,000m, behind fellow American Bob Schul, who took the gold. A true high point for US distance runners, Bill went on to coach at the University of Oregon. Among the athletes he coached were Steve Prefontaine, Rudy Chapa, Alberto Salazar, Don Clary, Ken Martin, Jim Hill, and Nick Rogers, one of his last athletes.
Bill Dellinger was a good man, funny, and charming. His athletes respected him and came to his aid when age and health started to challenge him.
Please keep the late coach Bill Dellinger in your thoughts and prayers, and his family, friends and athletes. His legacy of honest running, hard training and focused racing will live on.
Originally posted, June 2021
This piece was done during the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, in June 2021. Bill Dellinger is an iconic coach and athlete, a true leader of men. His innovations in training have changed modern distance running. His collaborations with Bill Dellinger changed generations of American distance runners and are influencing them today.
No one but Jeff Benjamin could have done this story with the love and reverence it deserves. So, sit back, read, re-read and enjoy.
Hall of Famer, Bill Dellinger (1964 Olympic bronze medalistIn The Presence Of A Legend -Coach Bill Dellinger!
By Jeff Benjamin
“Oh C’mon! We’ll all fit…Get in!!”
So commanded Coach Matt Centrowitz at the Wild Duck bar in his native Bronx Bomber-deep-toned accent, as 9 (!) of us packed into one small Uber!
Like from one of the milder scenes of the classic movie “Animal House” (which was ironically filmed on the campus of the University of Oregon!) John Lovett, Tony Gulotta, John Edwards, Jimmy Morgan, John Combe along with this writer and others crunched together in all different fetal positions to traverse a few road miles uphill past “Pre’s Rock” to pay homage to a Legend in his home.
None other than Coach Bill Dellinger.
The 3-Time Olympian, 1964 5000 Olympic Bronze medalist, and Oregon Duck Coach invited us to visit and, no matter the method of travel, it was certainly an honor one could not refuse.
Bill Dellinger’s book, published in 1984, with autograph
Replete with pictures, awards, and achievements, Dellinger’s home smacked of all things related to Oregon, American & World Track & Field!
87 years young, still razor-sharp, and quite humorous despite some health issues, the iconic Dellinger held this writer’s hand for support as he energetically guided us around the pantheon of his house in moments I will never forget!
Bill Dellinger winning the Pan Am Championships
Equally unforgettable was getting the Coach to sign one of his great books, “The Competitive Runner’s Training Book.”
Steve Prefontaine racing in Van Cortlandt
Published in the pre-Amazon/Social Media days of 1984, this book was the closest an East Coaster could get to Dellinger and his vaunted Oregon Track stars during that era when books like these served as inspirational “Bibles” to many a young high school and collegiate runner.
Bill Dellinger, University of Oregon Hall of Fame
Bill Dellinger, University of Oregon Hall of Fame
Here are some pics videos below!
Bill Dellinger’s 1964 Training Diary
Bill Dellinger’s Training Diary, week of 1964 Tokyo Olympics
Jeff Benjamin reads from Bill Dellinger’s 1964 training log, just the week before his 5000m Olympic bronze medal! #billdellinger, @JeffBenjaminrun, @coachathletics, @running_network, @caltrackrn, @goducks, @haywardfield, pic.twitter.com/GpiuN52sDA
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) July 28, 2021
Bell Lap –
A Final bonus visit took place for Tony & I once again, as the Dellinger crew asked us to bring up bottled water after the Trials were over to the house.
In a final farewell, Coach Dellinger gripped my hand hard as I told him we’ll see him next year at the 2022 World Championships.
With that positive glint in his eye he replied –
“You Betcha!”
Check out this video on Bill Dellinger, “The Magician” , courtesy of Elevation Films
