Bobby Field
Bobby Field served as a UCLA assistant football coach during a period of over two decades which produced some of the most successful seasons in Bruin gridiron history. He then continued his record of outstanding service to the University as a member of the Athletic Administration at UCLA for another 13 years.
Field coached at UCLA for 22 years from 1978-79 and from 1981-2000, missing only the 1980 season. During that stretch, he served as defensive coordinator or co-coordinator for 16 years and five years as assistant head coach. Field helped coach UCLA to seven Conference championships, a program best, resulting in five Rose Bowl appearances. He also was part of an NCAA record eight consecutive bowl wins which included three Rose Bowls, a Fiesta Bowl and a Cotton Bowl. Field coached a total of 15 bowl games (9-5-1) with the Bruins. During his tenure, UCLA posted a winning record against every conference opponent and owned a 12-9-1 mark in games played against arch-rival USC. Field helped coach UCLA to a program-best 20-consecutive wins in 1997-98.
Throughout his time at UCLA, Field helped to develop multiple big-play defenders and crafted numerous NCAA Top-10 defenses. Standouts like Larry Atkins, Carnell Lake, Roman Phifer, Marvcus Patton, Jamir Miller, Donnie Edwards, Eric Smith and Neal Dellocono highlight the list of All-American performers. In 1993, the Bruin defense topped the nation in turnover margin (+1.73). In 1991, UCLA ranked eighth nationally in rushing defense (100.9 yards per game). In 1988, the defense set a school record by limiting No. 8 Arkansas to just 42 yards of total offense in the 1989 Cotton Bowl win and ranked eighth nationally in rushing defense. In 1987, the Bruins ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense (85.1). The 1985 unit, keyed by the play of future World Champions Ken Norton, Jr. and James Washington, led the nation in rushing defense (70.3) while ranking seventh in total defense.
Field began his coaching career under the legendary Bear Bryant at Alabama (1971-72) and then moved to Mississippi State in 1973. During his five-year tenure at MSU, he coached the secondary while serving as defensive coordinator in his final four years.
During his administrative career at UCLA, Field served as the Sports Supervisor for Football, Rowing, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Men’s and Women’s Golf. He also had oversight of Housing, Parking, Training Table and Video Services for all sports.
In 2001, he instituted the UCLA Coaches Development program. This program continues to provide professional growth opportunities for Bruin coaches on a wide range of career-enhancing topics such as leadership, team building and recruiting.
Following his retirement, the UCLA Football Captains Award was named in his honor.
Field earned a Bachelor’s degree in Science Education at Arkansas in 1971 and was named to the All-Southwest Conference Academic Team his senior year. He was a three-year letterman and two-year starter in the defensive backfield. In his three varsity seasons, the Razorbacks were 28-5 with two Sugar Bowl appearances.
His wife, Valorie Kondos Field, is head coach of the UCLA Women's Gymnastics program. Both are members of the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, with Valorie being inducted in 2010 and Bobby in 2017. They are the ony couple to receive this honor.
Field coached at UCLA for 22 years from 1978-79 and from 1981-2000, missing only the 1980 season. During that stretch, he served as defensive coordinator or co-coordinator for 16 years and five years as assistant head coach. Field helped coach UCLA to seven Conference championships, a program best, resulting in five Rose Bowl appearances. He also was part of an NCAA record eight consecutive bowl wins which included three Rose Bowls, a Fiesta Bowl and a Cotton Bowl. Field coached a total of 15 bowl games (9-5-1) with the Bruins. During his tenure, UCLA posted a winning record against every conference opponent and owned a 12-9-1 mark in games played against arch-rival USC. Field helped coach UCLA to a program-best 20-consecutive wins in 1997-98.
Throughout his time at UCLA, Field helped to develop multiple big-play defenders and crafted numerous NCAA Top-10 defenses. Standouts like Larry Atkins, Carnell Lake, Roman Phifer, Marvcus Patton, Jamir Miller, Donnie Edwards, Eric Smith and Neal Dellocono highlight the list of All-American performers. In 1993, the Bruin defense topped the nation in turnover margin (+1.73). In 1991, UCLA ranked eighth nationally in rushing defense (100.9 yards per game). In 1988, the defense set a school record by limiting No. 8 Arkansas to just 42 yards of total offense in the 1989 Cotton Bowl win and ranked eighth nationally in rushing defense. In 1987, the Bruins ranked fourth nationally in rushing defense (85.1). The 1985 unit, keyed by the play of future World Champions Ken Norton, Jr. and James Washington, led the nation in rushing defense (70.3) while ranking seventh in total defense.
Field began his coaching career under the legendary Bear Bryant at Alabama (1971-72) and then moved to Mississippi State in 1973. During his five-year tenure at MSU, he coached the secondary while serving as defensive coordinator in his final four years.
During his administrative career at UCLA, Field served as the Sports Supervisor for Football, Rowing, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Men’s and Women’s Golf. He also had oversight of Housing, Parking, Training Table and Video Services for all sports.
In 2001, he instituted the UCLA Coaches Development program. This program continues to provide professional growth opportunities for Bruin coaches on a wide range of career-enhancing topics such as leadership, team building and recruiting.
Following his retirement, the UCLA Football Captains Award was named in his honor.
Field earned a Bachelor’s degree in Science Education at Arkansas in 1971 and was named to the All-Southwest Conference Academic Team his senior year. He was a three-year letterman and two-year starter in the defensive backfield. In his three varsity seasons, the Razorbacks were 28-5 with two Sugar Bowl appearances.
His wife, Valorie Kondos Field, is head coach of the UCLA Women's Gymnastics program. Both are members of the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, with Valorie being inducted in 2010 and Bobby in 2017. They are the ony couple to receive this honor.