Jerry Clyde

Jerry Clyde, born Aug. 29, 1939 in Auburn, was a prep basketball and baseball standout who later went on to become one of the finest high school basketball coaches in Pierce County sports history.

After graduating in 1964 from Seattle Pacific, where he started on the basketball team as a freshman, Clyde ended up in Orting where he started his teaching and coaching career. As a junior varsity coach for three years, he led his teams to a cumulative 54-6 record. During a 26-year tenure as the Orting High School boy’s basketball coach, he compiled an incredible 390-192 record. He led the Cardinals to 13 league championships and five titles in 20 district playoff appearances. Orting reached the state tournament 12 times under Clyde’s tutelage, winning the state championship in 1983. From 1982-85, Clyde’s Orting teams compiled an 80-18 record. Throw in his three seasons at the JV level, and Clyde enjoyed an outstanding 444-198 combined record.

Clyde earned numerous league and district coaching honors throughout his career, and twice was named state Coach of the Year. He received the state’s top recognition with his induction into the Washington State Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997.