Hall of Fame
Position: Coach
Years: Santa Clara [CA] (1946-49), Pittsburgh (1950), Oregon (1951-66)
Place of Birth: Ferndale, CA
Date of Birth: Jun 12, 1905
Place of Death: Eugene, OR
Date of Death: Sep 30, 2002
Leonard Casanova first hit the headlines as a player for Santa Clara in 1923. Standing on his own one-yard line, he punted a ball that went out of bounds on the St. Mary's one yard line. Total distance, 98 yards. Official distance, since punts are measured from the line of scrimmage, 88 yards. Either figure is very good. Len graduated in 1927, coached eight years in California high schools and six as an assistant at Santa Clara. Then came the Navy - active duty and rank of commander. His career as head coach began in 1946 and covered four years at Santa Clara, one at Pittsburgh, 16 at Oregon. His 1949 Santa Clara team beat Bear Bryant's Kentucky team in the Orange Bowl. His Oregon teams played in the Rose, Liberty and Sun Bowls. His 1957 Oregon team is remembered for beating Stanford in a game in which Oregon had no fumbles, no interceptions, and only one penalty. Such error-free exhibitions are rare. Casanova served as president of the American Football Coaches Association and was on the football rules committee 1969-73.
