Former SDSU baseball coach Jim Dietz passes away over the weekend from Alzheimer's complications and dementia.
The news hits home for San Diego State University, which witnessed Dietz become the winningest baseball coach in SDSU baseball history throughout his trajectory with the Aztecs.
According to reports, the legendary coach was in Florence, Oregon when his death happened on Sunday.
Dietz was at the helm of Aztecs coaching role for over three decades, beginning his career as Aztecs coach in 1972 all the way through 2002.
During his 31 years as coach, Dietz piled up 1,230 victories as coach, placing him within the top 40 in the all time list of baseball coaches at the collegiate level. Dietz averaged a whopping 40 wins throughout his 31 seasons, which gave him an incredible .620 winning percentage.
One of the former baseball players that played under Dietz is Tony Gwynn Jr., the son of the greatest San Diego Padre of all time, Tony Gwinn.
Gwinn Jr. says that Dietz did the best to make sure he was well-taken care of, and installed a great level of confidence in his game while having the face the obvious pressure of share the same name as his father, who is widely-recognzied as "Mr. Padre" and one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
“I played for him two years, and he did his best to take care of me. I knew I could play, but he gave me the confidence to get it done.” Gwynn Jr. said. “Jim was the first college coach who came to see me play at Poway," he added.
Tony Camara, former baseball player for Bonita Vista High and later SDSU under Dietz, says he was far beyond just a great coach, but rather, an ever better human being.
“I loved the guy,” said Tony Camara. “He was a great coach, but a better man. He took the Aztecs program to another level through hard work and dedication."
Camara praised Dietz ability to put SDSU on the map when it comes down to college baseball, crediting him for the number of alumni that went on to play professional baseball after being coached by the legendary coach.
“His style wasn’t for everyone, but those who stayed and played learned how to play the game. Look at all the guys who played pro ball. Look at all the guys who went into coaching. That tells you a lot.”
Dietz is survived by his wife Carol Dietz, and his children, Steve, Jenny, and multiple grandchildren.
