Dave McClain, Wisconsin Football Coach, Dies of Cardiac Arrest at 48

University of Wisconsin football Coach Dave McClain collapsed in a sauna and died of cardiac arrest Monday shortly after working out on an exercise bicycle at Camp Randall Stadium, authorities said.

McClain, 48, died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison after suffering the cardiac arrest between 2 and 2:15 p.m., said Jim Mott, the Big Ten school’s director of sports information. McClain was pronounced dead at 3:12 p.m.

“The coach was exercising on his stationary bicycle, going through his normal exercise routine,” Mott said. “He then went into a sauna.”

Professor Steve Zimmerman was in the sauna when McClain entered but left to take a shower, Mott said. When Zimmerman returned and began talking to McClain, the coach didn’t respond. Zimmerman called for help.

McClain coached the Badgers to a 5-6 overall record last fall, 2-6 in conference play. It was his first losing season after four straight winning seasons. His Wisconsin teams were 46-42-2 in eight seasons.

“We lost more than an outstanding coach,” Wisconsin Athletic Director Elroy Hirsch said. “He was a great father, husband and human being. People like this are not replaced.”

McClain became the Big Ten school’s 24th head football coach on Dec. 16, 1977. He graduated from Bowling Green in 1960 and came to Wisconsin from Indiana’s Ball State where he had coached seven seasons and posted a 46-25-3 record.

McClain is survived by his wife, Judy, and their three children, Tom, a freshman at Wisconsin Platteville, Marcy and Mindy.