Don Casey

Don Casey (born June 17, 1937)

Current position: Temple Owls, Los Angeles Clippers, New Jersey Nets
Temple record: 151-94 (.616)
Overall record^: 151-94 (.616)

Career Accomplishments:

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

1999-2000 New Jersey Nets
1996-1999 New Jersey Nets (asst)
1990-1996 Boston Celtics (asst)
1989-1990 Los Angeles Clippers
1985-1989 Los Angeles Clippers (asst)
1983-1984 San Diego Clippers (asst)
1982-1983 Chicago Bulls (asst)
1973-1982 Temple

Don Casey Facts

  • Lawrence Donald Casey
  • Born June 17, 1937
  • Hometown: Collingswood, New Jersey
  • Alma Mater: Temple University (BA, 1970)
  • The NJ-native started his coaching career as JV coach at Bishop Eustace Prep (NJ), where he would later become the varsity head coach and lead the team to two state championships
  • Became the head coach at alma mater Temple in 1973, leading the Owls to a 151-94 record over nine seasons
    • Went to the NCAA Tournament in 1979 and the NIT on three occasions, and won three ECC titles
  • Left for the NBA in 1982 and spent the majority of his remaining career there, starting with a one-year stint as an assistant coach under Paul Westhead with the Chicago Bulls
    • Also had assistant stints under Jim Lynam (Clippers), Don Chaney (Clippers), Gene Shue (Clippers), Chris Ford (Celtics), M. L. Carr (Celtics), and John Calipari (Nets)
      • Had a brief stint (1984-85) as head coach of Scavolini Pesaro in Italy’s top pro league (Serie A)
    • First NBA head coaching opportunity was with the Clippers, taking over for Shue in January 1989 after a 10-28 start and leading the team to a 11-33 record the rest of the way
      • Casey coached the following season, going 30-52 and parting ways with the team afterwards
    • Had a similar situation later on in New Jersey, taking over for Calipari in March 1999 after a 3-17 start to the strike-shortened season; Casey went 13-17 the rest of the way then 31-51 in the following season

Don Casey Coaching Tree

  • Scott Burrell (Southern Connecticut State)
  • Johnny Davis (Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic)
  • Eddie Jordan (Rutgers, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards)
  • Danny Manning (Maryland, Wake Forest, Tulsa)
  • Joe Wolf (Greensboro Swarm, Colorado 14ers, Idaho Stampede)

 

^ overall record includes head coaching positions at the NCAA Division I level only