On June 27, 2025, Invoice Dellinger, certainly one of America’s best distance runners and likewise certainly one of our best coaches, died on the age of 91. Surrounded by his household, the announcement was made by Invoice Dellinger’s grandson, who requested us to get the world out on the passing of this high-quality man.
Invoice was a 3 time Olympian, and in 1964, Invoice Dellinger took the Olympic bronze within the 5,000m, behind fellow American Bob Schul, who took the gold. A real excessive level for US distance runners, Invoice went on to educate on the College of Oregon. Among the many athletes he coached had been Steve Prefontaine, Rudy Chapa, Alberto Salazar, Don Clary, Ken Martin, Jim Hill, and Nick Rogers, certainly one of his final athletes.
Invoice Dellinger was man, humorous, and charming. His athletes revered him and got here to his assist when age and well being began to problem him.
Please hold the late coach Invoice Dellinger in your ideas and prayers, and his household, buddies and athletes. His legacy of sincere working, onerous coaching and targeted racing will stay on.
Initially posted, June 2021
This piece was completed through the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, in June 2021. Invoice Dellinger is an iconic coach and athlete, a real chief of males. His improvements in coaching have modified fashionable distance working. His collaborations with Invoice Dellinger modified generations of American distance runners and are influencing them immediately.
Nobody however Jeff Benjamin might have completed this story with the love and reverence it deserves. So, sit again, learn, re-read and luxuriate in.
L-R, John Combe, Jeff Benjamin, Coach Invoice Dellinger, Oregon Legend & Gonzaga Coach Pat Tyson, Tony Gulotta
Corridor of Famer, Invoice Dellinger (1964 Olympic bronze medalistIn The Presence Of A Legend -Coach Invoice Dellinger!
By Jeff Benjamin
“Oh C’mon! We’ll all match…Get in!!”
So commanded Coach Matt Centrowitz on 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 many milder scenes of the traditional film “Animal Home” (which was paradoxically filmed on the campus of the College of Oregon!) John Lovett, Tony Gulotta, John Edwards, Jimmy Morgan, John Combe together with this author and others crunched collectively in all totally different fetal positions to traverse a number of street miles uphill previous “Pre’s Rock” to pay homage to a Legend in his dwelling.
None aside from Coach Invoice Dellinger.
The three-Time Olympian, 1964 5000 Olympic Bronze medalist, and Oregon Duck Coach invited us to go to and, regardless of the strategy of journey, it was actually an honor one couldn’t refuse.
Invoice Dellinger’s e book, printed in 1984, with autograph
Replete with photos, awards, and achievements, Dellinger’s dwelling smacked of all issues associated to Oregon, American & World Monitor & Area!
Nonetheless having fun with life and sporting the NY Yankees hat signed by George Steinbrenner!
87 years younger, nonetheless razor-sharp, and fairly humorous regardless of some well being points, the long-lasting Dellinger held this author’s hand for help as he energetically guided us across the pantheon of his home in moments I’ll always remember!
Invoice Dellinger profitable the Pan Am Championships
Equally unforgettable was getting the Coach to signal certainly one of his nice books, “The Aggressive Runner’s Coaching E book.”
Steve Prefontaine racing in Van Cortlandt
Printed within the pre-Amazon/Social Media days of 1984, this e book was the closest an East Coaster might get to Dellinger and his vaunted Oregon Monitor stars throughout that period when books like these served as inspirational “Bibles” to many a younger highschool and collegiate runner.
Invoice Dellinger, College of Oregon Corridor of Fame
Invoice Dellinger, College of Oregon Corridor of Fame
Listed here are some pics movies under!
Invoice Dellinger’s 1964 Coaching Diary
Invoice Dellinger’s Coaching Diary, week of 1964 Tokyo Olympics
L-R, Matt Centrowitz, Coach Dellinger, Jeff Benjamin, Tony Gulotta
Jeff Benjamin reads from Invoice Dellinger’s 1964 coaching log, simply the week earlier than his 5000m Olympic bronze medal! #billdellinger, @JeffBenjaminrun, @coachathletics, @running_network, @caltrackrn, @goducks, @haywardfield, pic.twitter.com/GpiuN52sDA
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) July 28, 2021
Video – Jeff Benjamin studying aloud Invoice Dellinger’s coaching diary resulting in the 1964 Olympic 5000 Bronze medal!
Bell Lap –
A Closing bonus go to befell for Tony & I as soon as once more, because the Dellinger crew requested us to deliver up bottled water after the Trials had been over to the home.
In a remaining farewell, Coach Dellinger gripped my hand onerous as I advised him we’ll see him subsequent yr on the 2022 World Championships.
With that optimistic glint in his eye he replied –
“You Betcha!”
Try this video on Invoice Dellinger, “The Magician” , courtesy of Elevation Movies
