Forrest C. "Phog" Allen

Enshrined 1959
Born: November 18, 1885
Jamesport, MO
Died: September 16, 1974

Phog Allen was college basketball's first great coach and the yardstick for professional longevity and success. Learning the game from James Naismith while a player at the University of Kansas, Allen and his teams dominated the game, were fundamentally sound, well-coached, and textbook in their approach. Considered the father of basketball coaches, Allen had the ability to be engaging, yet stern -- reasonable, yet forceful. He compiled more wins in college basketball than any other coach until longtime colleague and former player, Adolph Rupp surpassed him in 1966. Allen's contributions to the game extended beyond the hardwood of the halls of learning. One of the founders of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), Allen was also the driving force behind basketball becoming accepted as an official Olympic sport in 1936. In 1952, Allen received an Olympic Gold Medal as a member of the U.S. team's coaching staff in Helsinki.