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Dec 30, 1919 -Jun 26, 2013
Legendary Coach Leonard Cohn Dies
By Marjorie Cohn
Claremont Courier July 12, 2013
Legendary football coach Leonard Cohn died June 26 at the age of 93. Coach Cohn inspired hundreds of athletes and students during his 18 years at Claremont High School (CHS) in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Amassing a formidable football coaching record of 141 wins, 19 losses and one tie, Cohn led the Claremont Wolfpack to 10 league championships and two CIF championships - in 1956 and 1958. “Len Cohn leaves behind a football legend in Claremont,” wrote Fred Claire in the Progress-Bulletin, when Cohn resigned as head football coach at Claremont High in 1967. Claire, who later became general manger and executive vice president of The Dodgers, frequently chronicled Cohn’s accomplishments in his sports column.
Cohn started the CHS football program from scratch in 1949. There was a total of 150 students at CHS. Other area high schools had thousands of students from which to draw. With limited personnel and resources, Cohn single-handedly built the program – coaching, taping players, issuing and cleaning the equipment. He also served as Director of Athletics at Claremont High School, and first president of the Southern California High School Coaches Association, an organization with 1200 coaches.
“The distinguishing characteristic of Len Cohn,” said Dr. Robert Benson, who played on the 1958 championship team, “is that he was deeply interested in developing young men as well as football players.” Ed Wolfe, who went on to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates, said, “Coach Cohn is a great, great man. He was the father of football at Claremont High School. He was a second father to all of us.” Bob Stephenson, who went on to play for University of Oklahoma and was selected outstanding player in the Cotton Bowl, wrote to Cohn, “You have done as much for me as my own father. Besides teaching me football, you taught me pride, leadership and desire.” Martin Weinberger, former editor of the Claremont Courier, wrote in 1964, that Cohn’s “half-time orations, especially when Claremont is trailing, have been known to rank among the great motivational talks of all time.” Weinberger characterized Cohn as “a practicing psychologist,” with signs “plastered to the dressing room walls, exhorting the players on to greater deeds.” It was not only athletes who were touched by Cohn. “Coach gave his heart to CHS and to all of us students,” observed Dail Ruthi Dworak-Crockett, class of 1961.
Cohn was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1919. One of four children, he was a member of the “Clay Hill Gang,” 50 kids who hung together and made just a bit of mischief. From 1942 to 1946, Cohn fought with valor in the Army in World War II. Quickly promoted to Captain at age 21, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. A graduate of Central Connecticut State University, where he starred as a tailback on an undefeated football team, Cohn married Florence Lichtenstein in 1947 and they relocated to California and had five children. After Cohn served one year as a high school teacher in San Bernardino, they moved to Claremont, where he became a high school teacher, and football and baseball coach.
Known to his players as “The Fox of the Foothills,” Cohn was noted for his college-like football program at Claremont High. Once offered the assistant head coaching job by head Michigan State football coach Duffy Daugherty, Cohn turned it down. With a wife and five children to support, Cohn opted for job security at Claremont High School over the vagaries of college coaching.
Former pro football star Billy Kilmer credited Cohn for setting up his football career. Cohn recognized Kilmer’s potential when Kilmer’s Citrus High squad played against Claremont High in the mid-1950’s. When Cohn later coached a high school all-star team, he installed a single wing offense to showcase Kilmer’s talents as a tailback. Cohn invited UCLA coach Red Sanders to take a look. Kilmer achieved All American status, playing tailback at UCLA before becoming a first round NFL draft pick.
In 1966, Cohn and his wife Florence divorced. The following year, he moved to Monterey, where he began a second career in the Monterey School District. After three years as Vice-Principal at Monterey High School, Cohn was promoted to Director of Child Welfare and Attendance in the District Office. He held that position until he retired in 1989. Cohn married Catherine Sullivan in 1972 and helped raise her sons. When Catherine died in 1995, Cohn moved to San Diego to be near two of his daughters. He returned to Claremont a few months before his death.
Cohn is survived by his children, Marjorie Cohn, Gary Cohn, Nancy Cohn Morgan, Susan McGeachy, and Terri Peters; stepsons John Sullivan and Joseph Sullivan; 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Contributions can be sent to Claremont High School Hall of Fame. Make checks out to: CHS Hall of Fame
Send to:
Coach Mike Collins
Claremont High School
1601 N Indian Hill Blvd
Claremont, CA 91711
A celebration of Coach Cohn’s life was held on Saturday, August 3, at 3 p.m. in the gymnasium at El Roble Junior High School, 655 N. Mountain Ave. in Claremont.
Published in The Monterey Herald on July 10, 2013
CLAREMONT, CA – Leonard Cohn, a prominent administrator in the Monterey School District, died on June 26, 2013 at the age of 93. Cohn moved to Monterey from Claremont in 1967. After three years as Vice-Principal of Pupil Services (Counseling and Guidance) at Monterey High School, Cohn was promoted to Director of Child Welfare and Attendance in the District Office. He held that position until he retired in 1989. Neil Fearn, Cohn's boss at Monterey High, said Cohn "was a great problem solver with troubled children and families. He did a super job." Dan Albert, who was head football coach at Monterey High when Cohn was an administrator, said of Cohn, "He was stern, strict, but fair." Albert later became mayor of Monterey.
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Please post your memories of Coach Cohn below.
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Bob Ruh (1965)
COACH COHN:
I must say, a very big piece of my life's puzzle has just passed from this earth. In many ways, Coach Cohn was one of the bright and shinning lights in my life. After my Dad died, in my junior high school years, I was, at times, adrift without a father figure, or guidance in my life. Coach Cohn, as well as others in the community, full filled that role in my life. Coach Cohn gave me guidance, encouragement, friendship, caring and set a good example. I, as well as many other young men who briefly passed through his life, are a product of the example he set of for us. He demanded excellence from all of us, not only on the football field, but on field of life. His demands were clear; always tempered with his caring, understanding and love.
In my senior years, in one of the periods of my life, where I was a bit "adrift," operating in the "grey area" I made a very bad choice. A choice, which could have affected my future position in life. Coach Cohn dealt with the situation and me in a stern, but fair fatherly manner. Were it not for his insight and caring in that instance, I could have spent my life on "the other side of the bars," as it were. My philosophy in life is very much derived from that challenge: "today is the first day of the rest of your life; make good choices."
The "Alpha" has died, long live the "Pack".....!
Douglas Rosenow (1965)
If memory serves (at this age, always a dicey proposition), the Wolfpack did not lose a regular-season game during the entirety of my four years, '61-'65. Not a jock, I was one of Coach's legions of worshippers from afar. He was anything but a Marv Goux or Ed Orgeron fire-breather. Had he been registered with Central Casting, they'd've sent him out to audition for the role of Lt. Columbo, and he'd've beaten out Peter Falk for that part, no contest. Quiet, nondescript, unassuming, he worked his magic on the sidelines and practice field, appearing no more pressed or stressed than he did teaching Driver Ed...and if sitting to my right in that training car couldn't quicken his pulse, NOTHING could. The Wolfpack has lost its central cog, but Coach Cohn bequeathed us a wealth of indelible memories, chief among them his example of understated yet undeniable Character, in every sense of that word. When he wasn't around, you KNEW he wasn't around. There walked a man. Godspeed, sir, and Semper Fi.
Herbert Christian (1949)
I was a senior in 1949 when Len came to Claremont and he was my baseball coach. Not only was he my coach, but he was my mechanical drawing teacher. Our football team that year was a great improvement over the previous year as we beat our big rival Bonita for the second time in three years. This was the first year of many sucessful years that Len had in coaching. We were a very small school then as my class had only 37 in it..
Thomasin Anne "Tamsie" Sloan (Goyer) (1962)
In 1954 my father, Jack Sloan, was the sports editor of the Progress Bulletin and thought so highly of Coach Cohn that he moved our family to Claremont. Not caring that at that time his only son was two years old.
Later I was priviledged to take Drivers Training with the coach so finally one of his children got to 'play' for the great coach. Later as the first girl score keeper for the baseball team I was finally on his team. I can only imagine the mighty reunion going on right now with Coach Cohn, Coach Kaiser and my dad...May they all rest in peace while disecting every sporting event on earth! RIP Tamsie Sloan Goyer
Robert Benson (1959)
The distinguishing characteristic of Len Cohn is that he was deeply interested in developing young men as well as football players. He was a second father for many of us and the only father-figure for some. He worked to get the best out of each person and treated everybody fairly. He was a positive coach, and positively influenced the people around him. Because Coach Cohn was interested in all of the students, his influence extended to the entire student body. The 1954 El Espiritu was dedicated to Coach Cohn before he had a long string of championships. The 1959 El Espiritu is dedicated to both Len Cohn and Hal Lynn. Coaches Cohn and Lynn were great coaches and they also taught us a lot about teamwork, leadership, giving and taking orders, mental toughness, staying in the game until the game is over, and never giving up.
The lessons learned in Claremont Football have served us well for a variety of occupations: teachers, artists, real estate developers, CEO’s, small business owners, construction, retail, architecture, designers, accountants, and service to our country, including army special forces, marines, navy fliers and Seals, air force, and the Presidential honor guard.
Len Cohn was a master at personnel administration. He practiced all of the great principles of personnel that later appeared in popular business administration books. He managed to get a bunch of diverse young boys to focus on the same goal, unite and work together, and play as a team. The sense of unity on the team bus before each football game was evident in the silence as each player contemplated his role in the game.
He also excelled at managing the parents and the townspeople. Coach Cohn was an inspiration to my parents and to the parents of my teammates. The whole town united behind the football teams, and contributed much to the teams’ successes. It was a privilege to participate in this program.
Coach was a master of referee relations and management. He treated the referees with respect and gained their confidence. He schooled his players in referee relations. Only the Captains were allowed to speak to or about the referees. This helped to keep the players focused on the game and not on the referees’ calls. As I recall from my first Captains’ meeting with Coach, we were told that we could say four things to the referees: “Yes, Sir;” “No Sir;” “Thank you, Sir;” and ”May we please have a measurement, Sir.”
Coach, thank you for all that you did for everybody. Your memory and principles live on in all of us, and they have been passed on to the next generations.
Robert “Benny” Benson, PhD
Co-Captain, 1958 CIF Champions
Douglas Neil Sloan (1972)
I am Tamsie Sloan Goyer's younger brother and although I never had the privilege of playing football for Len but He was always around our house when I was growing up and I know how special a friend he was to my dad and family. I remember how excited my sister was to becoming the scorekeeper for the varsity baseball team, But that was not the end of it for Len, at the end of the season he showed his appreciation to Tamsie by pulling strings and making sure she got her own 'men's" varsity baseball letter. He always cared about how you were doing and gave you his undivided attention whenever talking with you and I will never forget how he seemed like a such a gentle giant to me and of course the aroma of his pipe tobacco whenever he stopped by.
When they held the first football fundraising golf tournament and dinner Len was the obvious pick to be the guest of honor and they asked my dad to MC the event. As always my dad told some great and funny stories but also praising Len's years of coaching which he was always very humble about). Later that evening many of the guys that I played football with had never known that much about Claremont High football's very successful years when Len was coaching. I just asked them "why do you think they call us "Home of the Champion"
He is still one of the most Winningest coaches in CIF history.
Now is when I should say "may you rest in peace Len", But Tamsie was right when she said "when he meets up with my dad and Esper Kieser in heaven they'll be busy".
Sharon Esterley (1961)
Bill Steiner (1961)
What a great leader, a real loss for all of us.
Arthur Dickinson (1961)
I REMEMBER BEING THAT "LONER", THE FAT KID LIMPING THRU GYM, NEVER VERY ATHLETIC. BUT THE COACH NOTICED ME, TAPED UP MY FALLEN ARCH, HEALED MY PAIN, AND I GUESS A BIT OF MY SOUL WITH HIS ATTENTION AND KINDNESS.....ONE OF MY BEST MEMORIES OF DAYS AT THE OLD SCHOOL.....
Terry Hodges (1961)
OUR COACH, OUR HERO
Not long ago, at the memorial service for Coach Esper Kaiser, Coach Len Cohn spoke of the difficult days in the early fifties when there was no money to hire additional coaching staff for Claremont's struggling football program.
He said, "I was so desperate that I enlisted the help of the local baker."
I remember those days well, because I happened to be that baker's son, and my dad, Tharen Hodges, often took me to football practice with him as he served as Claremont's temporary line coach. I was about age 8 at the time and not yet the height of a tackling dummy, but I somehow came to know that there was something special about Coach Cohn, something great, and he instantly became one of my heroes.
My first impressions of him were based, I think, on how he was regarded by my father, who in 1946 had been signed as a lineman by the brand new San Francisco 49ers. I would often hear my dad speak of how lucky Claremont was to have a coach of the likes of Len Cohn. And I was impressed, also, by the deep respect with which Coach Cohn was regarded by his players.
A few years later, I became one of those players and experienced firsthand what it meant to play football under Coach Cohn. For reasons difficult to explain, he was totally inspirational to us. Whatever it was, it definitely wasn't his size, for he certainly wasn't an imposing figure. Neither did he have a loud and booming voice. On the contrary, he was soft-spoken, with an air of quiet dignity about him.
“You must reduce your opponent,” he would say in his quiet voice, but the message could not have been better delivered had it been shouted through a bullhorn.
Coach Cohn was blessed with an abundance of that mystical quality we speak of as "command presence," that wonderful gift that allows leaders like him to walk into rooms full of unruly kids and have them go instantly quiet. Something about him demanded respect, and when he spoke, those nearby always listened.
Perhaps his greatest gift was his ability to take a mob of green kids, most of them like me with at best modest ability, and forge them into a hard-hitting powerhouse of a team to be feared, with good reason, by all others in our league. For above all else, Len Cohn was a football coach, certainly among the very best high school football coaches of all time.
He could motivate and inspire us even without words. There was a moment before each game, when the bus in which we rode arrived at the stadium, when he would stand at the front of the bus and face us. We would immediately go silent as he regarded us, making brief eye contact with each one of us, somehow conveying to each of us the silent message, “I’m counting on you tonight.” Then he would turn and say quietly, “Let’s go,” and the bus would erupt with an explosion of our shouts and growls.
Football under Coach Cohn was more than just a game. For us it was a magnificent endeavor that we took seriously far beyond reason. It was as though lives depended on us when we trotted onto the field. We played desperately to win, never anything less. We played to make him proud, for his approval meant everything to us. And without knowing it, we were learning from him perhaps the best lessons of our lives.
Coach Cohn taught us to reach deep within ourselves for every tiny bit of strength and ability we possessed and to apply these things in total desperate effort on every play. He taught us to ignore physical discomfort and to be strong and to never ever give up despite all manner of adversity. He taught us the wonderful taste of victory, and of pride and honor . . . and he helped us, perhaps more than anyone else, to grow from boys into responsible young men.
In short, Len Cohn taught us a lesson beyond price, a lesson we would carry with us for the rest of our lives.
He taught us how to be the absolute best that we can be.
Thanks, Coach.
Terry Hodges, Class of 1961 July, 2013