His contract was sold to the New York Yankees in January 1932, and he reached the major leagues as a left fielder in 1935, batting .293 in 107 games.

On September 22 of his rookie year, he barely lost to Ben Chapman in a 75-yard promotional race held before a game with the Boston Red Sox.

[3] Hill left Long Beach in early 1942 when he was appointed as a lieutenant (junior grade) in the United States Navy.

Hill became USC's head track coach in 1949 and 1950, succeeding Dean Cromwell, and won national titles in both years.

Hill served as USC's head football coach from 1951 to 1956, with his teams posting a record of 45–17–1, including Rose Bowl appearances after the 1952 and 1954 seasons.

During his tenure, Hill's players included Frank Gifford, Rudy Bukich, Jim Sears and Jon Arnett.

Hill died at age 86 in Pasadena, California, of complications of Alzheimer's disease and buried at the Sunnyslope Cemetery in Corona.