Harry Combes

Harry Combes (1915-1977)

Teams coached: Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois record: 316-150 (.678)
Overall record: 316-150 (.678)

Career Accomplishments:

• NCAA National Championships:  0
• NCAA Tournament Appearances:  4  (1949, 1951, 1952, 1963)
• NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen:  1  (1963)
• NCAA Tournament Final Four:  3  (1949, 1951, 1952)
• NIT Championships:  0
• NIT Appearances:  0
• Big Ten Regular Season Champion:  4  (1949, 1951, 1952, 1963)

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

1947-1967

Illinois

Harry Combes Facts

• Harry Combes
• Born March 3, 1915
• Died November 13, 1977
• Hometown: Monticello, Illinois
• Alma Mater: University of Illinois (BA, 1937)
• Was a star basketball player at Monticello HS (IL) before going on to play at Illinois
  • Played for head coaches Craig Ruby and Douglas Mills and was part of two Big Ten titles
• Began his coaching career at Champaign HS (IL), compiling a 254-46 record over nine seasons
  • Reached the state tournament seven times and won a state title in 1946
  • Also went 70-26-2 as the head baseball coach (1937-42)
  • Was named of the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament in 2007
• Returned to his alma mater in 1947 to coach the Illini, leading the program for the next 20 years
  • Went 316-150 during that tenure, reaching the NCAA Tournament four times
    • Appeared in the NCAA Final Four three times, the first such appearances for the program
  • Won four Big Ten regular season titles, the most for any head coach at Illinois
• Passed away in 1977 after battling illness at age 62; survived by his wife, Rebecca, and daughter Jane

Harry Combes Coaching Tree

• Jerry Colangelo (Phoenix Suns)
• Johnny “Red” Kerr (Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls)
• Cal Luther (Bethel, Tennessee-Martin, Longwood, Murray State, DePauw)
• Harv Schmidt (Illinois)