Frank McGuire Inducted in 1992
Frank McGuire
Frank Joseph McGuire (November 8, 1913 – October 11, 1994) attended Xavier High School in New York. McGuire graduated from St. John's University in 1936, playing under head coach James "Buck" Freeman. Prior to 1947 he also played pro basketball briefly in the American Basketball League. After Joe Lapchick left St. John's to coach the New York Knicks in 1947, McGuire became head basketball and baseball coach at his alma mater. He led the baseball team to the College World Series in 1949 and the basketball team to the Final Four in 1952, becoming one of only three coaches to achieve both accomplishments.
In 1952, McGuire left St. John's to become a basketball coach at the University of North Carolina. On paper, this was a significant step down from St. John's, as UNC was not reckoned as a national power at the time. Soon after leaving North Carolina, McGuire became the head coach of the NBA's Philadelphia Warriors and coached Chamberlain during the Warriors' last season in the city. Following his one season in the NBA, McGuire worked for two years in public relations in New York before returning to college basketball as head coach at the University of South Carolina in 1964. McGuire teams won NCAA University Division tournament (1957), NCAA Regional—Final Four (1952, 1957), ACC regular season (1956, 1957, 1959–1961, and ACC tournament (1957, 1971) 1970). His individual awards include UPI Coach of the Year (1957), and 2x ACC Coach of the Year (1957,1969)
In 1952, McGuire left St. John's to become a basketball coach at the University of North Carolina. On paper, this was a significant step down from St. John's, as UNC was not reckoned as a national power at the time. Soon after leaving North Carolina, McGuire became the head coach of the NBA's Philadelphia Warriors and coached Chamberlain during the Warriors' last season in the city. Following his one season in the NBA, McGuire worked for two years in public relations in New York before returning to college basketball as head coach at the University of South Carolina in 1964. McGuire teams won NCAA University Division tournament (1957), NCAA Regional—Final Four (1952, 1957), ACC regular season (1956, 1957, 1959–1961, and ACC tournament (1957, 1971) 1970). His individual awards include UPI Coach of the Year (1957), and 2x ACC Coach of the Year (1957,1969)