Jack Gardner (basketball)

James H. "Jack" Gardner (b. March 29, 1910 in Texico, New Mexico - d. April 9, 2000 in Salt Lake City, Utah) was a college men's basketball coach.

Related Topics:
March 29 - 1910 - Texico, New Mexico - April 9 - 2000 - Salt Lake City, Utah - Basketball

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Gardner, a native of New Mexico and a graduate of the University of Southern California is well-known for coaching Kansas State University between 1939 and 1942 and again between 1946 and 1953, compiling a 147-81 record with the Wildcats, and the University of Utah between 1953 and 1971, compiling a 339-154 record. His complete collegiate record is 486-235.

Related Topics:
University of Southern California - Kansas State University - 1939 - 1942 - 1946 - 1953 - University of Utah - 1971

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In his second stint at Kansas State, his teams won a total of three conference crowns and captured two Big Eight Holiday Tournament championships. His 1950-51 team finished 25-4 and had a second place finish in the NCAA tournament. That team was arguably the best in K-State history and one of two that made the Final Four during his tenure (the other was in 1948).

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Gardner left Manhattan in 1953 to take over the head coaching reins at the University of Utah, where he remained for 18 years. He led the Utes to six appearances in the NCAA Tournament and two Final Four appearances. He finished his career winning seven conference titles. Between 1959 and 1962, his teams compiled a 72-14 record.

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Gardner is a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame as well as nine other Hall of Fames. He was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 and is also a member of the Southern Utah Hall of Fame, Utah All-Sports Hall of Fame, State of Utah Basketball Hall of Fame, Helms Foundation Hall of Fame, Kansas State University Hall of Fame, the Crimson Club (University of Utah), the Modesto (CA) Junior College Hall of Fame and the Redlands (CA) High School Hall of Fame. He was also the recipient of the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Golden Anniversary Award.

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He worked as a consultant for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association from 1979 (when the team moved from New Orleans) until 1991. He is credited with discovering John Stockton at Gonzaga University while working for the Jazz.

Related Topics:
Utah Jazz - National Basketball Association - Gonzaga University

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