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3 Best Coaches in Notre Dame Men’s Basketball History

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 19: Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach and current ESPN college basketball analyst Digger Phelps speaks to the crowd after being inducted in the Notre Dame Ring of Honor during halftime of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Purcel Pavilion on January 19, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Virginia Tech 70-63. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 19: Former Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach and current ESPN college basketball analyst Digger Phelps speaks to the crowd after being inducted in the Notre Dame Ring of Honor during halftime of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Purcel Pavilion on January 19, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Virginia Tech 70-63. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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2. George Keogan 1923-1943

George Keogan is the only coach in the history of Notre Dame men’s basketball to win a National Championship. In fact, he’s won two. Now, maybe that means he should be number 1 on the list of coaches, but having the most National Championships never earns Frank Leahy honors as best football coach, so why should it make Keogan the best basketball coach?

Instead, it makes him the second best coach.

Over the course of twenty seasons, he only had one that wasn’t a winning season. That was 1924-25 season, where his Fighting Irish finished at 11-11. After those twenty seasons Keogan had a record of 327-97-1. That’s a winning percentage of .771.

Keogan coached Notre Dame before the NCAA Tournament was around, making it difficult to compare eras at times. However, he did win two National Championships during his time in South Bend. These were awarded through as Helms Champions in 1927 and 1936.

During his time with Notre Dame Keogan helped to produce John Moir, who won the 1936 National Player of the Year award. Moir was a three time All-American who went on to play in the NBL. Three other All-Americans played under Keogan, including Paul Nowak, Bob Rensberger, and Moose Krause. Krause is also a Naismith Hall of Fame, and Collegiate Hall of Fame player. Keogan was instrumental in the development in all of these legendary players.

Keogan’s career was cut short by a heart attack in 1943. He died at the age of 52.

At the same time that Keogan was coaching the Notre Dame basketball team, he was also coaching the Notre Dame baseball team for seven seasons. George Keogan has been elected to both the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as well as the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

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