Bob Timmons

LEGENDARY JAYHAWKS Bob Timmons (1966-88)

Bob Timmons is to Kansas Cross Country what Phog Allen is to Kansas Basketball. The man who coched KU to four NCAA Track and Field Championships is perhaps most noted for bringing Jim Ryun to Lawrence. Timmons coached Ryun at Wichita East High School until 1964, when he became an assistant at KU for a year under Bill Easton. Ryun then followed Timmons to Kansas where he continued to thrive under Timmons’ coaching. Timmons was an 11-time NCAA District V Coach-of-the-Year and was the 1975 U.S. Track and Field Coaches Association National Coach-of-the-Year. At the helm of the KU track and field program, he led the Jayhawks to 13 indoor league crowns and 14 outdoor titles. In cross country, Timmons guided John

Lawson to the 1965 NCAA Individual Championship. In 1970, Timmons and his wife, Pat, purchased land just north of Lawrence. In 1974 that property became known as Rim Rock Farm and it has been home of the Jayhawk Cross Country team ever since. Rim Rock Farm is now known as one of the best and toughest courses in the nation and is a credit to Timmons’ vision and passion for cross country. The annual Bob Timmons Invitational is held each September in his honor on the course he put so much work into. During his career, Timmons coached 77 AllAmericans, 24 NCAA champions, 16 world record holders and seven Olympians. Timmons is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame, the KU Hall of Fame, and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

TIMMONS’ ACCOLADES

• 11-time NCAA District V Coach-of-the-Year • Four Track and Field NCAA Championships • 1975 USTFCA National Coach-of-the-Year