Joe Bedenk

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Fred Joe Bedenk (died May 2, 1978, State College, Pennsylvania) was a legendary college baseball coach at Rice University (1925-1926) and Penn State University (1931-1962). The #30 all time winningest Division I baseball coach, He was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Bedenk played guard for the Nittany Lions' football team. He was elected team captain and earned All-America honors in 1923. He served for several years as the school's offensive line coach before being promoted to head coach for the 1949 season. After finishing the year at 5-4, Bedenk then requested a return coaching the offensive line and the university brought in Rip Engle as head coach, and Engle's quarterback from Brown University, Joe Paterno as an assistant coach.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in finance from Penn State in 1924.


Preceded by:
Bob Higgins (football)
Penn State Nittany Lions Head Football Coach
1949
Succeeded by:
Rip Engle