Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee 1959

After learning the game of basketball from the game's inventor, Dr. James Naismith, Allen became the first true coach of basketball. Naismith, who ironically thought basketball couldn't be coached, later dubbed Allen the "Father of Basketball Coaching" Allen coached the University of Kansas team part-time during his 1908-09 senior year and won the Missouri Valley Championship. Allen served as athletic director and freshman basketball coach at the University of Kansas from 1919 to 1937, then took over duties as head coach in 1920. He coached KU to an amazing 590 wins and only 219 losses and won the NCAA Title in 1952. Future coaching greats Adolph Rupp and Dean Smith played for Phog Allen. Phog was instrumental in founding the National Association of Basketball Coaches in 1927 and served as its president for the first two years. In 1952 Allen coached the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic basketball team.

Where They Are Now:
Died September 16, 1974

Where They Were:
Baker University 1906-1908
University of Kansas 1908-1909
Haskell University 1909-1909
Central Missouri State University 1913-1919
University of Kansas 1920-1956