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Legendary Taft College football coach Al Baldock has died.
Baldock died Monday at his home. He was 79.
For the past several years he had suffered from a rare form of Parkinson’s disease that caused him frequent dizziness and loss of equilibrium.
The Kern County Sheriff-Coroner said Baldock was found floating in his swimming pool at 2:54 p.m.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene and attempted to revive Baldock but he was pronounced dead at 3:38 p.m.
Baldock became a legend during his 17 seasons at TC where he produced some of the finest community college teams in the nation, posting a 137-26-5 record. In 32 years as a head coach his teams were 257-58-10.
His Cougar teams won 15 conference championships, six state championships, four Potato Bowls and two national crowns built around one of the most potent and unique offensive sets around. He was named the state coach of the year six times.
Over his coaching span at TC his Cougar teams averaged 320 yards rushing and scored 6,524 points. Taft frequently led the nation in rushing.
Baldock wrote a book called “Coaching the T-Bone Offense.” In January, the college hosted a book signing for him.
He was inducted into the Kern County Sports Hall of Fame, the State Football Coaches Hall of Fame and on Sept. 5 was honored at a “Night of Legends” at College of the Sequoias, where he coached from 1962-68.
Baldock came to Taft in 1976 where he turned a 1-8 team into a 10-1 conference champion. He was 11-0 the next year.
Taft’s success under Baldock attracted the college scouts. As a result, many of Baldock’s players were able to transfer to universities on full-ride scholarships – many at Division I powerhouses like USC, Nebraska and Florida.
Watching his players move on gave Baldock immense gratification. He often said that’s how he measured success.
He also had coaching stints at Allan Hancock, Los Angeles City College, San Diego State (assistant coach) and resurrected the football program at West Hills College in Coalinga.
Baldock was forced into retirement in the spring of 1994 when Taft College eliminated its entire athletic program.
Funeral services are pending.
Baldock leaves his wife, Joyce, daughter Erin and grandsons Nathaniel and Jonathon.
Legendary Taft College football coach Al Baldock has died.
Baldock died Monday at his home. He was 79.
For the past several years he had suffered from a rare form of Parkinson’s disease that caused him frequent dizziness and loss of equilibrium.
The Kern County Sheriff-Coroner said Baldock was found floating in his swimming pool at 2:54 p.m.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene and attempted to revive Baldock but he was pronounced dead at 3:38 p.m.
Baldock became a legend during his 17 seasons at TC where he produced some of the finest community college teams in the nation, posting a 137-26-5 record. In 32 years as a head coach his teams were 257-58-10.
His Cougar teams won 15 conference championships, six state championships, four Potato Bowls and two national crowns built around one of the most potent and unique offensive sets around. He was named the state coach of the year six times.
Over his coaching span at TC his Cougar teams averaged 320 yards rushing and scored 6,524 points. Taft frequently led the nation in rushing.
Baldock wrote a book called “Coaching the T-Bone Offense.” In January, the college hosted a book signing for him.
He was inducted into the Kern County Sports Hall of Fame, the State Football Coaches Hall of Fame and on Sept. 5 was honored at a “Night of Legends” at College of the Sequoias, where he coached from 1962-68.
Baldock came to Taft in 1976 where he turned a 1-8 team into a 10-1 conference champion. He was 11-0 the next year.
Taft’s success under Baldock attracted the college scouts. As a result, many of Baldock’s players were able to transfer to universities on full-ride scholarships – many at Division I powerhouses like USC, Nebraska and Florida.
Watching his players move on gave Baldock immense gratification. He often said that’s how he measured success.
He also had coaching stints at Allan Hancock, Los Angeles City College, San Diego State (assistant coach) and resurrected the football program at West Hills College in Coalinga.
Baldock was forced into retirement in the spring of 1994 when Taft College eliminated its entire athletic program.
Funeral services are pending.
Baldock leaves his wife, Joyce, daughter Erin and grandsons Nathaniel and Jonathon.
