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Photo of Frank McGuire

Frank J. McGuire

While Frank McGuire’s Irish good looks and pleasing disposition made him a popular and well-liked coach, it was his game strategy, zealous pursuit of defensive basketball, and ability to mold championship teams that set him apart from his contemporaries. McGuire’s coaching philosophy was built around defense and offensive execution. He was the first coach in history to win 100 games at three different colleges. In 31 years of coaching at St. John’s, North Carolina, and South Carolina, he had only three losing seasons. He guided his teams to 15 postseason appearances including eight NCAA Tournaments. The 1957 NCAA Tournament saw McGuire’s Tar Heels outlast Kansas University and Wilt Chamberlain in a thrilling triple-overtime victory. A favored clinician and lecturer, McGuire wrote two successful books, Offensive Basketball (1958) and Defensive Basketball (1959). 

Enshrined

1977

Born

November 08, 1916 New York, NY

Died

November 11, 1994

College

North Carolina South Carolina St. John's

Professional Career

Philadelphia Warriors

Career Stats

2x NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
3x NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR
2x SACC COACH OF THE YEAR