Mel Rosen, Auburn’s legendary track and field coach and noted coach at the Olympic and World Championship level, passed away Sunday at the age of 90. Rosen came to Auburn in 1955 as an assistant professor in the physical education department before becoming an assistant track coach and ultimately Auburn’s head coach from 1963-1991. Rosen stepped down at the end of the 1991 season to become the head coach of the 1992 United States Men's Olympic team.
In Rosen's tenure at Auburn, he coached seven Olympians, 143 All-Americans, including 63 SEC indoor and outdoor champions and eight NCAA champions, including Harvey Glance, Willie Smith and James Walker.