Sports Hall of Famer John McGee dies

Longtime coach worked at Estancia and Newport Harbor over the course of four decades, stressing discipline and fitness.John McGee, who patrolled the sidelines for 16 years as Estancia High’s freshman football coach and at Newport Harbor in the same capacity, died Feb. 4 at his home in Fresno. He was 86.

McGee was selected as a member of the Daily Pilot’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

McGee, renowned for the discipline he instilled in himself and his players, coached the Eagles for seven years -- from 1990-97 -- while in his 70s. He originally coached at Estancia from 1965-74 before leaving for Newport Harbor.

Art Perry, activities coordinator and golf coach at Estancia, has witnessed McGee’s commitment to discipline. Perry taught at Estancia when McGee first began coaching and replaced him after McGee moved to coach Newport Harbor.

“He was in great shape. Every morning before school, he’d be running. We never knew how old he was,” Perry said. “He had his players run 220-yard dashes before school and after practice. He was a real hard-nosed guy. He was a real hard worker. He was always doing more than others in terms of conditioning.”

Another trademark of McGee was his haircut. He always sported the crew cut, as did his players -- whether at Estancia or Newport Harbor.

“He was highly successful at Newport,” Perry said.

Perry said that although he had a quiet way about him, McGee left an impression when he spoke.

“His pregame speeches were inspiring. He was tough. When they left the locker room the team was ready to play,” Perry said. “He took no excuses. He would say, ‘You have to do it on your own. Ride your own bike to school. Don’t have your mom bring you. Be a man.’ The kids grew up fast under him.”

Perry said he would always remember the first time his freshman football team at Estancia faced off against McGee’s Newport Harbor team.

“We had a real good team that year. We were 10-0. I remember it was eight-minute quarters then and we beat them, 60-52,” Perry said. “We kept pulling our starters out. We would jump ahead by two or three touchdowns and pull our starters out. Then bam, they’d score twice real quick and we’d have to put them back in. He wanted to beat us real bad. It was fun. I wanted to make sure we beat them.”

McGee developed a sense of discipline during World War II, serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1942-46. He also earned All-American honors as a running back at Regis University in Denver. He was inducted into the Regis University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998.

“He was loved by everybody at Estancia,” Perry said.

A memorial service will be held Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 355 East Champlain Drive, in Fresno. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian to a charity of choice, or to a scholarship fund in McGee’s name at Estancia.

McGee is survived by his sister, two daughters, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.