Forddy Anderson

Forddy Anderson (1919-1999)

Teams coached: Drake Bulldogs, Bradley Braves, Michigan State Spartans
Drake record: 32-23 (.582)
Bradley record: 142-56 (.717)
Michigan State record: 125-124 (.502)
Overall record^: 299-203 (.596)

Career Accomplishments:

Awards:

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

1965-1970 Hiram Scott
1954-1965 Michigan State
1948-1954 Bradley
1946-1948 Drake

Forddy Anderson Facts

  • Forrest Anderson
  • Born March 17, 1919
  • Died October 25, 1999
  • Hometown: Gary, Indiana
  • Alma Mater: Stanford University (BA, 1946)
  • After graduating from Ralph W. Emerson HS (IN), Anderson played for head coach Everett Dean at Stanford
    • Joined the US Navy during World War II, spending time playing basketball for Tony Hinkle at Great Lakes Training Facility
  • Returned to Stanford after the War to finish his degree in 1946 and was then hired as the head coach at Drake
    • Went 32-23 in two seasons as the Bulldogs’ head coach before leaving for Bradley
  • Won 142 games in six seasons as the head coach at Bradley, reaching two NITs and two NCAA Tournaments
  • Left Bradley for Michigan State in 1954, coaching the Spartans for the next eleven seasons
    • Was 125-124 overall, finishing over .500 in each of his first five seasons at MSU
    • Led the program to its first ever NCAA Final Four in 1957 and then back to the Elite Eight in 1959
      • Won the Big Ten title in each of those seasons, earning consistent top-10 AP rankings throughout
    • Fired in 1965 following a 5-18 season that saw the Spartans finish in last place
  • Hired to build the athletic department at Hiram Scott College in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, serving as AD and head basketball coach
    • Left the school in 1970 when the athletic department shut down; the school shut down officially shortly after
  • Coached Peru’s national basketball team in FIBA competition through 1970 and 1971
  • Spent the latter part of his career working as a scout for the NBA’s Boston Celtics in the 1980s and 1990s
  • Died in 1999 at the age of 80 from complications due to pneumonia
    • Survived by three daughters, Connie, Barb and Tracey, and son, Forrest Jr.

Forddy Anderson Coaching Tree

 

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