Pete Susick (June 27, 1920 – March 8, 2007) is a legend of Oregon high school football. In 33 years of coaching at Marshfield High School, Susick compiled an amazing record of 235 wins, 69 losses and 18 ties. His teams won state titles in 1955 and ‘56, shared the title in 1954 and advanced to the state playoffs thirteen times. The Pirates had only one losing season during his career. At the time of his retirement, Pete was the winningest football coach in Oregon history.
Pete Susick was a star athlete at Marshfield’s archrival North Bend in the 1930’s. He competed in football, basketball and track and field. Pete set a single-season all-purpose yardage record of 1,880 yards in football and led the basketball team in scoring his junior and senior year.
Football took him to the University of Washington where he led the Huskies in scoring one season. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers but suffered a gunshot injury serving in the Marines, ending his pro aspirations.
Susick then signed on as a teacher and coach at Marshfield in 1946 where he would stay until 1978. One trademark of all those successful Pirate teams was technique and precision. The offensive plan seldom changed but the execution made it unstoppable.
The most dominant stretch of the Susick era was 1954 through 1956. The Pirates combined record was 33-0-2. The 1954 season ended with a 13-13 tie vs an also-undefeated South Salem team. 1955 was the centerpiece of the three-peat, A solid offensive line led by center Bob Peterson permitted halfbacks Denny Baker (1,000 yards) and Roger Johnson (600 yards) to run wild. The defense allowed only 4.3 points per game and was responsible for five shutouts. The Pirates blanked Gr esham 19-0 in the state final.
The 1956 season would see the last championship of that stretch, ending with a 40-19 romp over Medford. The 1968 team went 10-1-1, only losing in the state final to Jesuit.
After retirement, Pete Susick remained a supporter of both Bay Area schools. He was able to enjoy watching Marshfield’s 1992 state championship under coach Kent Wigle.
Pete Susick is a member of the North Bend and Marshfield halls of fame. Pete Susick Stadium in Coos Bay is named in his honor.