Gerry Friel

Gerry Friel (1943-2007)

Teams coached: New Hampshire Wildcats
New Hampshire record: 188-335 (.359)
Overall record: 188-335 (.359)

Career Accomplishments:

Awards:

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

1969-1989 New Hampshire
1966-1969 Boston College (asst)

Gerry Friel Facts

  • Gerard J. Friel
  • Born June 8, 1943
  • Died August 20, 2007
  • Hometown: Utica, New York
  • Alma Mater: State University of New York at Oswego (BA, 1965)
  • After graduating from SUNY Oswego, Friel started his coaching career at Fulton HS in Upstate New York
  • Spent one season as an assistant at Boston College under head coach Bob Cousy
  • Hired the be the head coach at New Hampshire in 1969, a position he held for the next 20 seasons
    • Went 188-335 over his tenure, highlighted by the 1982-83 season during which the Wildcats won their first (and as of 2020, still only) America East (then ECAC North) regular season title; Friel was named ECACN COY for 1983
    • During his UNH tenure, Friel also ran the Phillips Exeter Academy summer basketball school from 1971-95
  • Retired from coaching in 1989 and spent the rest of his professional career in administrative roles at UNH
    • Served as Director of University Athletic Relations, Director of Athletic Fundraising and VP of the UNH Foundation
  • Passed away in 2007 at the age of 64 following a long battle with illness
    • Survived by his wife, Joan, and their five children, Jennifer, Keith, Gregory, Jeremy and Jilliane

Gerry Friel Coaching Tree