WACO, TX — The athletics world is mourning the loss of Clyde Hart, the legendary Baylor University track and field coach, who passed away on November 1, 2025, at the age of 91 following a year-long battle with cancer. Known as one of the most successful sprint coaches in history, Hart’s impact on the sport of track and field is immeasurable, having guided multiple Olympic champions and world record holders during his 42-year career at Baylor.
What Happened
Clyde Hart, a pioneering force in American track and field, died peacefully surrounded by family on November 1 after a courageous fight with cancer. The news has drawn heartfelt tributes from athletes, colleagues, and fans around the globe who credit Hart for shaping generations of world-class sprinters and redefining how the 400-meter race is coached and run.
Who Was Clyde Hart
Born on February 3, 1934, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Clyde Hart was a talented sprinter in his youth, becoming a state champion before pursuing higher education. He graduated from Baylor University in 1956 with a Bachelor’s degree and later earned a Master’s degree from the University of Arkansas.
Hart began his coaching career at his alma mater, Baylor, where he served as the head track and field coach for over four decades. His coaching philosophy combined discipline, science, and personal mentorship — principles that turned young athletes into Olympic legends.
He retired as Baylor’s head coach on June 14, 2005, after an illustrious 42-year tenure, though he continued mentoring athletes and advising programs well into his later years.
Career and Legacy
Clyde Hart’s coaching résumé reads like a chapter in Olympic history. He is best known as the only coach to have trained Michael Johnson, the iconic sprinter who dominated the 400 meters with gold medals in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics. Johnson’s 43.18-second world record at the 1999 World Championships stood for nearly two decades, a testament to Hart’s strategic brilliance.
Hart’s influence extended beyond Johnson. He coached Jeremy Wariner and Darold Williamson to gold medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics — Wariner in the 400 meters and both in the 4×400-meter relay. Even after a brief separation in 2008, Wariner and Hart reunited, underscoring the deep trust and respect between them.
His other protégés included Greg Haughton, who claimed bronze in the 400 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and Sanya Richards-Ross, who became the world’s top-ranked female 400-meter runner in 2007 and earned Olympic gold in 2012.
Hart’s excellence earned him international acclaim, including:
- World Athletics Coach of the Year (2009)
- USA Track & Field Legend Coach Award (2017)
Known for his humility despite his global success, Hart once remarked, “A good coach doesn’t just train legs — he trains the mind and the heart.”
Public and Community Reactions
Tributes have poured in from athletes, universities, and sports organizations across the world. Former student-athletes described Hart as a “father figure” and “the blueprint for greatness.”
Michael Johnson shared on social media, “Coach Hart was more than a coach — he was my mentor and my guide. His wisdom, patience, and belief in me shaped my career and my life. I owe everything to him.”
Jeremy Wariner echoed similar sentiments, saying, “He taught me how to be a champion — not just on the track, but in life. His legacy lives on in every athlete he’s ever touched.”
Baylor University released a statement calling Hart “a cornerstone of Baylor Athletics and a man whose influence transcended sport.”
Funeral and Tributes
Clyde Hart is survived by his beloved wife, Maxine Hart, and their extended family. Funeral services are expected to be held in Waco, Texas, where his legacy as one of the greatest track and field coaches in history will be honored.
Donations in his memory are being directed toward the Baylor Track & Field Scholarship Fund, ensuring that future generations of athletes continue to benefit from the program he built from the ground up.
As one of his former athletes put it:
“Coach Hart may have left the track, but his footprints will guide runners for generations to come.”
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
