Olympians honor legacy of dearly departed Central Texas coach Clyde Hart

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Athletes from around the world, including two Olympians with close ties to Central Texas, are remembering legendary track and field coach Clyde Hart who passed away over the weekend at the age of 91 after a battle with cancer.

Hart made an indelible impact on track and field coaching 34 national champions and nine Olympians who won a total of 13 gold medals, one silver and three bronze.

Hart coached legendary runners Michael Johnson and Sanya Richards-Ross.

He was also the first one to recruit and recognize the potential of Baylor runner Jeremy Wariner who went on to win three Olympic gold medals.

“Coach Hart meant a lot to me, “Wariner told KWTX. “It wasn’t just about being my coach, he was also my mentor.”

Wariner is considered one of the world’s best 400-meter runners, an event that was Hart’s specialty.

Hart told 365 Sports in an interview earlier this year that he saw Wariner’s talent from the get-go.

“He was injured his freshman year and was not able to compete at the level that he was later on and then sophomore year is when he broke through and won absolutely everything out there,” Hart told 365 Sports. “Jeremy was not a surprise. Once he got rolling, I knew he had a shot at the Olympics and a gold medal.”

While Wariner only ran at Baylor for two seasons, Hart continued to coach him until Wariner’s retirement in 2017.

In addition to his Olympic success, Wariner won six World Championship medals and is the sixth fastest competitor in the history of the 400-meter race.

Wariner said Hart never missed a moment.

“It wasn’t always just about coaching or running , it was more about growing up and becoming a man and becoming a father,” Wariner said. “He’s been there for me whenever I needed to talk, if I needed to ask questions about certain things. I was fortunate to have him at almost every single one of my track meets during my career.”

It was Hart and Wariner’s high school coach, Wariner said, who inspired him to become a coach after his decorated running career.

Wariner is in his eighth year of coaching and is currently the head boys track and field coach at Lancaster High School.

“If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I’d be where I am right now as a coach and as an athlete,” Wariner said.

Waco High and Baylor graduate Wil London, 28, echoes the feelings of deep appreciation for Hart.

London holds Baylor’s record in the 400m and qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics while training under Hart.

Hart retired as Baylor’s head track coach in 2005 and as the school’s director of track and field in 2019 but continued to work alongside London to keep a promise he made to his runner.

“I promised Wil that I would work with him up through the Olympics and of course the Olympics were canceled (in 2020) which means there was another year, so I’ve had two years since retirement to work with him,” Hart told KWTX in 2021.

London is believed to be the first Waco native to qualify for the Olympics.

“Coach Hart, he meant a lot to me but not only me but me and my family as well,” London said. “From the first day he recruited me, he believed in me, and he poured into me from day one all the way until the last day before he retired.”

Both London and Wariner say they owe much of their careers to the face of Baylor Track & Field for more than six decades, but they say Hart’s impact extends far beyond the track.

“Not only was he a great a coach, but he was a great man, a great mentor and a great leader and I will forever miss coach Hart,” London said.

“I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me as an athlete but also as a father and as a coach,” Wariner added. “This next year is going to be tough, but I know he’ll be looking down on all of us.”

Clyde Hart leaves behind his wife of 69 years, Maxine, as well as two sons, three grandkids and a great-grandson.

His funeral will be at First Baptist Waco at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Copyright 2025 KWTX. All rights reserved.