John Stevenson dies at 76; record-setting El Segundo High baseball coach

John Stevenson, who in 50 seasons at El Segundo High compiled more victories than any other high school baseball coach in California history, died Monday night. He was 76.

Stevenson suffered an apparent heart attack while driving in the Marina del Rey area, said Craig Cousins, his longtime assistant coach. He was able to pull his vehicle over but was dead when paramedics arrived.

Stevenson leaves a legacy of success unrivaled in the state, with 1,059 victories and seven Southern Section titles. His teams made the playoffs in 42 of 50 seasons -- including last year -- and featured a handful of eventual major leaguers, including Hall of Famer George Brett.

“El Segundo is a baseball town because of John Stevenson,” said George’s brother Bobby, one of four brothers who played for the Eagles from 1963 to 1971.

Cousins said El Segundo teachers, many of whom met Stevenson when they were students, were “pretty distraught” over news of the coach’s death. Cousins, who played for Stevenson in the mid-1960s, said he would take over the coaching duties on an interim basis.

Stevenson had been struggling emotionally since Gail Stevenson, his wife of 39 years, died in September after a 4 1/2 -year battle with ovarian cancer. But Cousins said Stevenson’s spirits seemed to lift after he made his yearly trip to Mexico in December.

During a May interview with The Times, Stevenson attributed his coaching longevity to his wife, a staff of top-flight assistant coaches, a supportive administration and community, and legions of talented players.

“I’m sorry I’m 75, because I’d love to do it all over again,” Stevenson said. “It’s an environment that makes you say to yourself, ‘I’m just not done yet.’ ”

Though he had softened some in his later years, Stevenson had a reputation for most of career as a disciplinarian.

“He was strict,” Bobby Brett said. “You worked hard, and practices were very organized. He had a plan. You got all the coaching you needed and had all the tools to be successful.

“John made good players great players,” he said. “When you look at my brothers Ken and George, he made them major league players.”

Stevenson’s best team might have been in 1971 with George Brett and pitcher Scott McGregor, who won 138 games in a 13-year career with the Baltimore Orioles. They went 33-2 and won the coach’s third section title.

Born Oct. 22, 1933, Stevenson grew up in Manhattan Beach and attended Redondo Union High School and UCLA, where he took a class taught by John Wooden. Cousins said the legendary Bruins basketball coach’s influence continued to resonate for many years after Stevenson took over the El Segundo baseball program in 1960.

“He felt if you could prepare your players to the best of your ability and they went about their actions thinking they knew exactly what to do, they would do just that,” Cousins said of Stevenson.

Stevenson hadn’t slowed much in recent years despite suffering a heart attack in 1991 and a 95% blockage in arteries in both of his legs about 2 1/2 years ago.

Stevenson is survived by his son, Eric; and a granddaughter, Allie. A memorial service will be held Jan. 23 in the El Segundo High auditorium.

ben.bolch@latimes.com