March 23, 1934-June 27, 2025) played a huge role in the success of University of Oregon track and field over five decades. He also competed in three different Olympic games and set two World Records and three more American Records.
Born in Grants Pass and raised in Springfield, Dellinger won the Oregon high school championship in 1952 in both the 880 and the mile. He was recruited by Bill Bowerman to the UO where he lettered from 1954 through 1956. Bill won two individual NCAA titles one in the mile, the other at 5000 meters which became his signature event. He broke that collegiate record three times in his senior year.
After graduation, he immediately qualified for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He would do so again in the 5000 in 1960 and again in 1964 where he won the Bronze medal in cool and rainy Tokyo. The top four finishers were separated by one second in an amazing finish. Bill was an ace indoors in two- and three-mile events, setting world records in both.
Upon retirement from competition, Dellinger coached at Thurston High School and Lane Community College before joining Bowerman's staff as an assistant coach. He was instrumental in the development and coaching of Oregon and American great distance star Steve Prefontaine in conjunction with Bowerman, taking over the cross country team in 1969, Pre's freshman year.
After Bowerman’s retirement in 1972, Dellinger succeeded him as head coach. In his 25 years of coaching, Dellinger’s men won five NCAA titles, four in cross country and one on the track. His athletes achieved 108 All American honors, and Bill's dual meet record was 134-29.
Dellinger developed the so called “Dellinger Web”, a cushioning technology used on various shoes throughout the 80s and early 90s.
Dellinger also coached many post-collegians including Olympians Mary Decker, Bill McChesney, Alberto Salazar, Matt Centrowitz, Don Clary, and many others. Dellinger retired from the University of Oregon in 1998 and would later join his mentor, Bill Bowerman, as an inductee in the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2001. He also is a member of the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame.
