Football: Ex-Muir Coach Jim Brownfield, 81, dies

Jim Brownfield, who achieved prominence as a football and girls’ track coach at Pasadena Muir High in the 1980s and 1990s, died early Monday. He was 81.

His brother, Warren, said Brownfield had major heart surgery 14 months ago. He died at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles.

Born on Jan. 15, 1929 in Long Beach, Brownfield moved to Los Angeles when he was 12. He graduated from Cal State Los Angeles in 1955.

Brownfield was a teacher and coach for more than 40 years in Southern California. His Muir teams won Southern Section football championships in 1985 and 1986, won state girls’ track titles in 1985 and 1989 and won four Southern Section track titles.

He also was the football coach at Loyola Marymount in 1969, when the school was named National Club Football Assn. champions.

After retiring in 1996, Brownfield stayed active in coaching organizations, leading the San Gabriel Valley chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in honoring senior football players for their academic and athletic contributions.

Bill Redell, the football coach at Westlake Village Oaks Christian, called Brownfield “one of the greatest coaches” in California prep history. Redell was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001, and he credited Brownfield's contributions for leading the drive for his selection.

Brownfield also coached cross country, tennis and basketball, with stops at Palm Springs and South Pasadena High. He was enshrined into the National High School Athletic Coaches Assn. Hall of Fame in 1998.

He is survived by his brothers, Warren and Bill, daughter Nancy Marie Patton, two grand children and six great grand children. The family is planning a celebration of his life, tentatively for June 25 at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena.

-- Eric Sondheimer

 

Comments

[Cyndi Morin]

View Coach Brownfield's memorial service via live internet streaming at TakeItLive.com. This event begins at 6 p.m. and streaming begins 15 minutes prior.

[Rich Tompkins]

Jimbo followed me in the officer progression of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. He was the President during the 2007-2008 school year. The NHSACA officers meet twice a year in addition to the Annual Meeting. So during his time as Board Member respresenting the State of California, as a Regional Director representing the Western States and during his progression as 3rd Vice President to 2nd to 1st Vice President and then his Presidency, I got to know Jim quite well and considered him a good friend. We would talk quite often between meetings and exchange e-mails as well once he became computer literate. Yes, in response to some other postings, he was indeed a giant in the coaching profession. He did know how to communicate with his athletes. He was very proud of his athletes and what they had accomplished. He was also proud of the USC Trojans and would keep me informed how RoJo was doing as Ron Johnson was a Michigan lad just down the road from where I live. Jim was excited about his work with the Rose Bowl people and how the Rose Parade came right by his home, or he knew someone who lived on a corner on the parade route. Anyway, I said that I wanted a special seat the next time that MSU came out there to play in the big game and Jim said that he would take care of it. Jimbo, I am going to hold you accountable for that committment. Further Jim, I know that you are in a far better place now because of your committment to Jesus Christ that you shared with me. Hopefully, he shared that committment may others as well. Sincerely, Rich Tompkins, Executive Director; Michigan High School Coaches Association

[Bill Riddle]

Coach ran the greatest golf tournaments for the Western Region Chapters' members of the NFF in Palm Springs. The Valley of the Sun Chapter will miss him.

[joey wilging cornell]

you were the best coach. your teachings will be sorely missed in the carmelite community.

[Donald "NY" Lundy]

This year is the 25th anniversary of Brownfield’s 1st CIF Championship in Football and 1st State title in Girls Track & Field.

[Donald " NY" Lundy]

Brownfield was a true Legend. He will be Missed!!