Legendary UCLA MWP Coach Bob Horn Passes Away
January 14, 2019 | Men's Water Polo
LOS ANGELES -- Legendary UCLA men's water polo coach Bob Horn, who is the winningest coach in UCLA history (487-188-8), passed away on Jan. 11 at the age of 87.
Robert Martin Horn served as UCLA's head men's water polo coach for 28 seasons (1963-90) before retiring at the conclusion of the 1990 campaign. That fall, he led the Bruins to a third-place NCAA finish and a 24-8 record. In a prolific career that spanned four decades, Horn guided UCLA to seven national titles including three NCAA championships, four runner-up awards and seven third-place finishes.
The Bruins secured 13 league titles under Horn, and his 1988 squad captured the Club National Championship, marking the first time a team comprised entirely of collegians won the Club National Title. Horn tutored 36 first-team All-America selections and 22 Olympians during his time at the helm of the Bruins' program. He guided UCLA to a school-record 50 consecutive victories over five years (1964-68), a record that stood until 2016, coaching four undefeated squads in the process.
He retired with an overall record of 487-188-8 and a 102-62 mark in league play. Selected as the 1965 water polo "Coach of the Year", Horn also doubled as UCLA's swimming coach from 1963-74. In 1976, he was inducted into the U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame and in 1999, the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame.
He was a member of the United States Olympic Team as a player in 1956 (Melbourne) and 1960 (Rome) and returned as a coach in 1968 (Mexico City). He also served as the head coach for Team USA in 1967 (Winnipeg), winning gold at the Pan American Games, defeating Brazil in the finals.
Horn is survived by his wife Dorothy "Dottie" Horn, two sons, Jeff and Greg, three stepchildren, Lynn, Anne Marie and Mark and seven grandchildren.
"Bob will be missed so much by our family," Dorothy Horn said. He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather. He never missed an opportunity to express his love for us and has left us with so many great memories."
Robert Martin Horn served as UCLA's head men's water polo coach for 28 seasons (1963-90) before retiring at the conclusion of the 1990 campaign. That fall, he led the Bruins to a third-place NCAA finish and a 24-8 record. In a prolific career that spanned four decades, Horn guided UCLA to seven national titles including three NCAA championships, four runner-up awards and seven third-place finishes.
The Bruins secured 13 league titles under Horn, and his 1988 squad captured the Club National Championship, marking the first time a team comprised entirely of collegians won the Club National Title. Horn tutored 36 first-team All-America selections and 22 Olympians during his time at the helm of the Bruins' program. He guided UCLA to a school-record 50 consecutive victories over five years (1964-68), a record that stood until 2016, coaching four undefeated squads in the process.
He retired with an overall record of 487-188-8 and a 102-62 mark in league play. Selected as the 1965 water polo "Coach of the Year", Horn also doubled as UCLA's swimming coach from 1963-74. In 1976, he was inducted into the U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame and in 1999, the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame.
He was a member of the United States Olympic Team as a player in 1956 (Melbourne) and 1960 (Rome) and returned as a coach in 1968 (Mexico City). He also served as the head coach for Team USA in 1967 (Winnipeg), winning gold at the Pan American Games, defeating Brazil in the finals.
Horn is survived by his wife Dorothy "Dottie" Horn, two sons, Jeff and Greg, three stepchildren, Lynn, Anne Marie and Mark and seven grandchildren.
"Bob will be missed so much by our family," Dorothy Horn said. He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather. He never missed an opportunity to express his love for us and has left us with so many great memories."