HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL COACHING RECORDS
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"The Master,"  Ed McCluskey, Farrell
                          "The grand master"
 

 

 

Pennsylvania High School Coaches-wins/losses
"Renzie" Hoffman,   1,255 wins and 311 loses-coached for 30 years, 17 years at Clintonville High School and 13 years at Mercer High School,  coaching both the Junior Varsity and  the Varsity-both the boys and the girls teams.
Don Graham,  800 wins-  coached for 51 years at Pittsburgh North Catholic High School that started in the 1940's and has lasted to the 1998-99 season.
Jerry Conboy,   coached  45 seasons and won close to 800 games. He started in 1955 at South Hills Catholic (11 seasons),  Davidson University(2 seasons), Point Park College (21 seasons), Elizabeth Forward girls (5 years), Montour boys (3 years),  Seaton La Salle girls.
Julius Prezelski,  757 wins and 290 losses,  Forest City (PA).
Eddie Gayeski,   744 wins, 195 losses; two state championships at Northwest High School.
Ken Misiak, 730 Wins & 366 Losses, 46+ years, Geibel H. S., Pittsburgh area.  His 1978 team went 28-0, won The WPIAL championship and the PIAA defeating Darby Twp 66-53.
Hank Stofko,   700 victories,  retired in 1991 after 35 seasons, Plymouth-Whitemarsh,  the 1963 team won the 3-A Boy's State Championship.
Eddie McCluskey,   698 wins and 185 losses, Farrell High School,  won seven state championships: 1952, 1954, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1969  and 1972.  (Update from Sharon Herald article by Jim Raykie, found HERE)
Ron Insinger, Loyalsock,  685 and counting in 2007-08. (Dave Post, Morning-Times)
Mike Kopp, 677-155 record in 28 seasons,  Allentown Central Catholic Vikettes,  four consecutive PIAA Class AAA girls basketball championships.
Ron Rhen,  record of 675-170 in 31 years,  Pine Grove "Cardinals"  Girl's Basketball Team. won  two PIAA State titles, retired 1998.
Don Stemmerich, won 638 games coaching at Union Joint High School in Rimersburg for 38 years from 1955 to 1993.
Butler Hennon,  620 wins and  259 lost,  38 seasons of high school coaching at Wampum and Elwood City with three state championships in 1950's and 1960's.
Larry Seneta, His overall record in 30 seasons at Girard is 606-223. He compiled a 505-122 record in 21 seasons coaching the Girard girls. Prior to that, he was 101-101 in 9 seasons coaching the Girard boys.  He is currently the Girard girls coach.    (Credit: Joe Mattis, Erie Times-News)

Jim Dooley, 600, the win was the 85th at Delone Catholic. With 145 at Gettysburg, 129 at Shippensburg, 164 at Cumberland Valley and 77  in Iceland from 1982-1983.
Bob Schnure,   over 600 wins, Downingtown Area School District, and 5 state championships.
Dave Bailey,  Tussey Mountain clipped host Central, 48-47 in overtime in the championship game of the Giant Eagle Tipoff Tournament to give Dave Bailey his 600th career coaching victory on Dec 1, 2007.  His record at this point in 35 seasons was 600-288.   (Credit: John Hartsock, Altoona Mirror)
Lurline Jones,  recorded her 600th win at University City High School in Philadelphia on January 12, 2005.  She had won 12 public league championships.
Charles A. DeVenzio,  won more than 600 games  at Ambridge, Springdale and North Allegheny high schools.  His 1966-67 Ambridge team went 27-0.
Tony Fannick Sr., 31 years at Milton High School has 574 wins (2/26/08) (Milton Fan)
Bill Hagar compiled a record of 557-222 in 30 seasons coaching at Maplewood, Jamestown (N.Y.) and Franklin. He is  currently the Franklin coach.    (Credit: Joe Mattis, Erie Times-News)

Pennsylvania High School Coaches-state championships (at least two)
7-Eddie McCluskey, Farrell
7-Don Barth, North Catholic (girls)
6-Joe Votino, Kennedy Christian
5-Bob Schnure, Dowingtown (girls)
4-Bill Anderson, Lower Merion
4-Dick Diethorn,  St. James/St. Canice (PCIAA)
4-John Miller,  Blackhawk
4-Ed Olkowski, Midland
4-Mike Kopp, Allentown Catholic
4-Dave Lebo, Carlisle
4-Art Tanneyhill, Altoona (girls)
3-Joe Alansky, Mahanoy Area  (girls)
3- Rick Binder, Steelton-Highspire
3-J. Bernie Crum, Allentown
3-Gerry Eckenrode, Delone Catholic (girls)

3-Butler Hennon, Wampum
3-Hank Stofko, Plymouth Whitemarsh
3-John Silan, Kutztown
2-Bill Bengel, Mercyhurst Prep (girls)
2-Roy Bigler, West Reading
2- Hal Blitman, Darby-Colwyn 
2-Randy Bowers, Mercyhurst Prep (girls)

2-Jerry Conboy,  South Hills Catholic (PCIAA)
2-Harry DeFrank, Trinity (girls)
2-Greg Downer Lower Merion
2-Abe Everhart, Uniontown
2-Dick Fox, Erie Prep (PCIAA)
2-Jim Garland, Cranberry
2-Eddie Gayeski, Northwest
2-Dick Holliday, Girard
2-Kevin Kodish, Lewistown (girls)
2-Alonzo Lewis, Chester
2-Fr. Steven Maco, Pottsville Nativity BVM (girls) (1978 and 1990)
2-Gary Markle, York Catholic
2-Hugh McGeehan, Hazleton
2-Fred Pickett, Chester
2-Chris Raso, Hopewell (girls)
2-Ron Rehn, Pine Grove (girls)
2-Don Rose, Irwin High School  (1947 and 1948)
2-Kirk Smallwood, Harrisburg
2-John Swogger, Mercer
2-Ruth Weidman, Pottsville Nativity BVM (girls) (1999 and 2000)
(Note:
--West Reading won three straight 59, 60, 61, Bigler won in 59 and 60, then Dick Sherry won in 61.
--Irwin won the 1953 state championship with Joe McMunn and  in 1954 under Lyman Stough.
Won the state championship at two different schools--
-4-Dick Diethorn,  St. James (3) / St. Canice (1), (both PCIAA schools)
-2- J. Michael Bailey,  Williamsport/  Bethel H. S. (VA)
-2-Bill Gaffey, Altoona Bishop Guilfoyle (PCIAA)/ /Susquehanna Twp.
-2-James (Lash) Nesser, Uniontown High/ Uniontown St. John's (PCIAA)

Andy Pahach, industrial arts teacher at Bolivar High School and its successor, Laurel Valley High School, from 1948 -1984.  Head Boys Basketball Coach for Bolivar Indians (1948-1952) and Laurel Valley Rams (1952-1984), PIAA state championship game finalist 4 years, District 6 champion 8 seasons, conference champion 16 times-Total Record: 538 wins and 346 losses.  (Credit: Doug Kurtz)
Ray Bartha  - he will be playing for his 500th career win at Apollo-Ridge on Thursday night (1/17/08).  He has over a dozen section titles to go with his 1991 WPIAL  title. A-R is a AA school in the Alle-Kiski Valley. (Credit:  Katie McLay, Apollo-Ridge High '06)
Bruce Leib,  recorded his 500th win with Hazleton Area, and is currently coaching at Central Dauphin East and closing in on his 600th.   (Credit: Josh Fadden)
Abe Everhart,  549 wins,  Uniontown,  2 State Championships, 1962-1964.
Dick Diethorn,  St. James / St. Canice, 547-202, named Pittsburgh Dapper Dan Coaching Award in 1951 and 1964, won four state championships.
Bill Fox, Philadelphia Father Judge, 1975-85, 1987-99, 2001-2005, 545-269
Charles O'Brien, Philadelphia LaSalle, 1944-1970, 541-248
Roger Flynn compiled a record of 531-201 in 27 seasons coaching the Grove City girls. His final season was 2005-2006.    (Credit: Joe Mattis, Erie Times-News)
Lloyd Wolf,  Reading Holy Name,  February 8, 2000 won his 528 th game over 33 seasons.
John Silan,   Kutztown and Wilson,  527-117 over 26 seasons. won three state titles.
Dan Dougherty, Philadelphia Episcopal Academy, 1977-97, 2001-07, 511-213 (also coached at USMA).
Les Shoop,  Punsxutawney  and Knoch  winning 511 games in 37 seasons
Aaron Straub.  Elk County Catholic  in St. Mary's, PA. over 500 wins and  an undefeated 33-0 season and the Class A State title in 2006
Harry DeFrank, Trinity,  topped 500 wins in January of 2004  at age 76 and during his 47th year of coaching.   He retired in 2007 after 50 years in coaching,  23 at Trinity and 27 as a CYO coach.
Dave Lebo,  four consecutive state championships at Carlisle High School: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988. In January of 1998, he recorded win #500
John Miller,  Blackhawk High School, he achieved the 500 win plateau during the 2000-2001 season.
Ross Macciocco,  Dunmore High School (girls), 500-216 as of the end of the 2007 season.
Kenny Bianchi, Abington Heights High School in Lackawanna County and the Lackawanna league earned his 500th career victory with the boy's basketball program in 33 years including Scranton Tech before it became Scranton High School, West Scranton High School and now Abington Heights
(Credit: Steve Lloyd, WNEP-TV 16/Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)
Mickey Holland, head basketball coach at Mahanoy Area High School in Schuylkill County earned his 500th career victory in his 26th season with the Bears boy's basketball team.  Mahanoy competes in District 11 and is a AA school    (Credit: Steve Lloyd, WNEP-TV 16/Scranton/Wilkes-Barre)
Kevin Kodish, the very successful girl's coach at Lewistown High School recorded win #500 on 12/6/07, a 58-52 come-from-behind win at Bellefonte. Among his 500 wins are eight District 6 titles and two PIAA state championships. Kodish's 24-year career total stands at 500-156 and counting.  (Credit: Dave Burman, radio 105.5 in Lewistown)
John Miller earned No. 500 yesterday when his Mount St. Joseph girls' team pounded visiting Pennridge, 62-29, in a nonleague game. Miller began his head coaching career at Archbishop Ryan in 1976 after serving an apprenticeship as Speedy Morris' assistant at Roman Catholic. Miller's breakdown: 130 wins with the Ryan boys, 20 with the Monsignor Bonner boys, 317 with the La Salle University women and now 33 with Mount St. Joseph. His career head coaching record is now 500-354.   (12/19/07, Philadelphia Inquirer)
Paul Brutto,  Marian Catholic girl's coach picked up his 500th career victory as the Fillies cruised past Mahanoy Area 67-34 in the Schuylkill League Division IV opener for both teams on 12/11/2007.  (Credit: Pottsville Republican)
Ray Bartha, Apollo Ridge's Girls Basketball got his 500th win on 2/1/08. Bartha has been the head coach at Apollo Ridge since 1976. His career record is 500-250. (Credit: Fayette County Guru)
Phil Pergola, California Area H. S. has a career mark of 497-421. The Trojans are at Trinity Christian tomorrow and at McGuffey Friday. They open the Section 2-A season at West Greene Dec. 18, 2007 and he has the entire season to get to win #500.  (Rich Emert,  Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Dennis Seddon, Philadelphia Roman Catholic, 1987-2007, 497-122
J. Birney Crum, Allentown Allen High School,  490 - 109 in 25 coaching seasons. His team won the state championship three straight years 1945, 1946, and 1947.
Terry Manning,  Millersburg H.S.,  24 years, 478 wins and 119 losses.
Bill Fulton,  in 25 years of boys and five years of girls coaching, 477-215, coaching stops included Pine Valley Central in New York state, and Sayre, Lewisburg, Warren, Kane, and Johnsonburg in Pennsylvania.
Ross Kershey,  longtime Coatsville  head basketball coach, who had a 462-128 record in 22 seasons at the helm of the Red Raiders.  Known as the "Silver Fox."
Andy Schulz compiled a record of 474-143 in 23 seasons coaching General McLane. The Lancers won the 2007 PIAA Class AAA championship. He is currently the General McLane coach.   (Credit: Joe Mattis, Erie Times-News)
Rich Yankowitz,   486-  269, Philadelphia Dobbins Tech, 1972-05
Art Taneyhill, 471-95 in 20 seasons coaching the Altoona Lady Lions to PIAA Titles in 1986, '88, '95 and, 96.
Dave Heitzenrater compiled a record of 469-196 in 25 seasons coaching the McDowell girls team. His final season was 2004-2005.   (Credit: Joe Mattis, Erie Times-News)
Ken Hamilton, Philadelphia Franklin, 1972-1999,  456-184
Harold Gardler, Philadelphia Cardinal O'Hara, 1977-07, 453-327
Bill Ellerbee, 450-100 and six Philadelphia Public League championships, Simon Gratz,  1983-02

(Our cut off is at least 450 wins)

Did you know?  that Ed McCluskey applied for the football coaching job at Farrell in 1948.  They did not hire him as the football coach, but instead gave him the basketball job.  In his first basketball season, 1948-49 he complied a 6-16 record, but then he reeled off  7 straight seasons of 20 plus wins!



Note: More information about some of the coaches can be found in the Pennsylvania Basketball Hall of Fame under the "Personalities" section.  HERE

Credits: Ted Silary, Philadelphia News                                      Terry Bickhart, Reading Eagle                                   Dave Burman, radio 105.5  Lewistown
               Rick Shrum, Pittsburgh Post Gazette                           Joe Mattis, Erie Times-News                                     Richard A. Keefer, Athletic Director, Lewistown Area HS
               Josh Fadden,                                                                     Babe Conroy                                                                                   Gary Markle, Jr
               Jim Raykie, Sharon Herald                                            Steve Lloyd, WNEP-TV 16/Scranton/Wilkes-Barre                  John Hartsock, Altoona Mirror
               Doug Kurtz                                                                       Rich Emert, Pittsburgh Post Gazette                             Craig Witman, BMCO/DMC   

                  

 


             
 

return to the Pennsylvania Basketball Website HERE

WINNING HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL COACHES

(Information credit: USA Today, July 21, 1999, p11c)

 COACH

 LAST SCHOOL

 COACHING

 RECORD

 Morgan Wootten

 DeMatha, Md

 1957-

 1,185-178 (.869)

 Robert Hughes

 Fort Worth Dunbar

 1958-

 1,155-233 (.832)

 Ralph Tasker

 Hobbs, NM

 1941-1998

 1,122-291 (.794)

 Bill Krueger

 Houston Clear Lake

 1958-1996

 1,096-250 (.814)

 Leslie Gaudet

 Pine Prairie, La

 1937-42;1947-70

 1,026-353 (.744)

 Walter VanHuss

 Kingsport, Tenn

 1953-1989

 1,021-313 (.765)

 

 

 

 

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