Phil Woolpert

Phil Woolpert (December 15, 1915 - May 7, 1987) is an American college basketball coach. He is best known for coaching the University of San Francisco Dons to two straight national championships in 1955 and 1956.

Related Topics:
December 15 - 1915 - May 7 - 1987 - College basketball - University of San Francisco - 1955 - 1956

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Born in Danville, Kentucky, Woolpert attended high school in Los Angeles. He subsequently attended Los Angeles Junior College and Loyola University, Los Angeles, where he played for three years.

Related Topics:
Danville, Kentucky - Los Angeles - Loyola University, Los Angeles

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In 1946, Woolpert was hired as basketball coach for St. Ignatius High School in San Francisco, California where he posted a 63-29 record in his four years as coach. Upon Pete Newell's departure for Michigan State University, the University of San Francisco hired Woolpert to succeed Newell. He assumed both the posts of men's basketball coach and athletic director.

Related Topics:
1946 - St. Ignatius High School - San Francisco, California - Pete Newell - Michigan State University

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During his tenure at USF, Woolpert posted a 153-78 record, including a 60-game win streak that at the time was the longest in college basketball (surpassed later by John Wooden's 88 straight wins at UCLA.). His teams, anchored by Bill Russell, K.C. Jones, Eugene Brown and Mike Farmer, were known for their defense and held opponents below 60 points on 47 different occasions. USF won the national championship in 1955 and 1956, and finished third in 1957. At the time the youngest college basketball coach to win a national championship, Woolpert also won Coach of the Year honors in 1955 and 1956.

Related Topics:
John Wooden - UCLA - Bill Russell - K.C. Jones - National championship - 1957

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After briefly coaching the San Francisco Saints of the American Basketball League, Woolpert returned to the college ranks in 1962, this time with the University of San Diego. While in San Diego, Woolpert posted a 90-90 record and served as both men's basketball coach and athletic director.

Related Topics:
San Francisco Saints - American Basketball League - 1962 - University of San Diego

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Phil Woolpert retired from coaching in 1972. He later settled down in Sequim, Washington and became a school bus driver. Woolpert died in 1987.

Related Topics:
1972 - Sequim, Washington - School bus

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