Gene Sullivan (Former Head Coach)

Gene Sullivan

Teams coached: Loyola Ramblers
Loyola (IL) record: 149-114 (.567)
Overall record: 149-114 (.567)

1980-1989	Loyola (IL)
1967-1971	Notre Dame (asst)

Gene Sullivan
Born April 21, 1931
Died February 21, 2002
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Alma Mater: University of Notre Dame (BA, 1953)
Grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago and attended Notre Dame, where he was a member of the Irish football team
- After college, Sullivan joined the US Army and served during the Korean War
First coaching role was as head boys’ basketball coach at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois (1957-67)
- Won three Chicago Catholic League titles during his tenure there
Returned to his alma mater in 1967, spending the next four seasons as an assistant under head basketball coach Johnny Dee
Sullivan was passed over for the head coaching job at UND in 1971 and spent the next few years working in the private sector
Hired in 1975 to be the athletic director at DePaul in his hometown of Chicago
After three years in that role, he took the same job across town at Loyola University (IL)
Became the head men’s basketball coach in 1980, leading the Ramblers for nine seasons
- Went 149-114 overall, winning three MCC (now Horizon League) titles and going to the Sweet Sixteen in 1985
- Resigned from his role in 1989 following back-to-back losing seasons
Throughout the rest of his career, worked for the Chicago Park District (as head of recreational programs) and with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office (running an anti-gang youth program)
Passed away in 2002 at the age of 70; survived by his wife, Elaine, and two daughters, Tracy and Terri