McKay, John H.
Football
b. July 5, 1923, Everettsville, WV
d. June 10, 1991
After serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II, McKay entered Purdue University and then transferred to the University of Oregon, where he started at halfback in 1948 and 1949.
He served as an assistant coach at Oregon and the University of Southern California before becoming USC head coach in 1960. McKay's teams were distinguished by a powerful running attack out of the I formation, with occasional passes to keep the defense off balance. Among the outstanding tailbacks he produced were Heisman Trophy winners O. J. Simpson and Mike Garrett.
Under McKay, Southern California won national championships in 1962, 1967, 1972, and 1974, and were undefeated in 1962, 1969, and 1972. He's the only coach to take a team to the Rose Bowl four years in a row, 1967 through 1970.
During his 16 seasons, Southern California won 127 games while losing 40 and tying 8. He left the school in 1975 to become head coach of the NFL's expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team lost 28 consecutive games in its first two seasons but reached the playoffs by winning the 1979 Central Division title. The Buccaneers also won the division in 1981 and qualified for the playoffs as a wildcard team in 1982.
McKay retired after the 1984 season with a professional record of 44 wins, 88 losses, and 1 tie.