Jeff Baker
 

A native of Southern California, born in Los Angeles, Jeff ran track and played football at Fullerton High School before attending Fullerton College in 1968 to play for Hal Sherbeck and his legendary coaching staff as a wide receiver and punt returner.

In 1969 Baker was voted:

• 1st Team All-Conference
• 1st Team All-State of California
• 1st Team JC All-American

Jeff broke the California State Record for touchdowns in one season by scoring 15 TDs in just 6 games due to a severe hamstring injury.  He scored a total of 18 TDs that year while playing sparingly in the State Playoffs.  In track, he was a member of the winning Eastern Conference 440 and 880 relay teams.  He also received the Fullerton College Men of Distinction Award in 1970.  Believed to be the only college football receiver ever to score 2 touchdowns in 1 game in only 2 plays.

Recruited by almost every major college, Baker played for another legendary coach, Don Coryell at San Diego State, where as a Junior he scored 8 TDs while averaging over 20 yards per catch.  A since changed NCAA eligibility rule (must play your first year after high school or loose a year), Baker’s only option for a Senior year was to transfer and play for a NAIA school.  He transferred to Cal-Western in San Diego.

While at Cal-Western in 1971 Baker was voted:

• Team’s Most Valuable Player
• Outstanding Offensive Player, NAIA Western States
• 1st Team NAIA Western States
• 1st Team NAIA All-American
• 2nd Team NCAA All-American
• Led Nation in Pass Receiving

Jeff was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1972, with the Denver Broncos for 2 injury plagued seasons, Portland Storm of the WFL (after his receiver coach at Denver – Dick Coury – was named head coach).

After football, Baker started a career in residential real estate with Willis Allen Real Estate Company in La Jolla, California, and has been with them for over 41 years.  For 7 years (1990-1996) he volunteered to coach the quarterbacks and receives at La Jolla High School where he was an intricate part of leading the team to a 26 game winning streak (3rd best in San Diego County), 1 CIF Championship and 1 runner-up.

Inducted into Fullerton College Football Hall of Fame 2014 (Read Story) and the Fullerton High School hall of fame.

Jeff served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a member of the elite group, Coastal Forces.  He has been married for 52 years and they have one daughter, Stacey, who resides in San Diego.

NAIA Receiving Championship  

Passing Offense Champions                        g              compl    att          yards   ave
1971       U. S. International (Calif.)             10           146         276         2,332     233.2