Johnny Bach

Johnny Bach (1924-2016)

Teams coached: Fordham Rams, Penn State Nittany Lions, Golden State Warriors
Fordham record: 262-193 (.576)
Penn State record: 122-121 (.502)
Overall record^: 384-314 (.550)

Career Accomplishments:

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

2003-2006 Chicago Bulls (asst)
2001-2003 Washington Wizards (asst)
1996-1998 Detroit Pistons (asst)
1994-1996 Charlotte Hornets (asst)
1986-1994 Chicago Bulls (asst)
1983-1986 Golden State Warriors
1980-1983 Golden State Warriors (asst)
1980 Golden State Warriors
1979-1980 Golden State Warriors (asst)
1968-1978 Penn State
1950-1968 Fordham

Johnny Bach Facts

  • John William Bach
  • Born July 10, 1924
  • Died January 18, 2016
  • Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
  • Alma Mater: Fordham University (BA, 1948)
  • Graduated from St. John’s Prep (NYC) and then played for head coach Frank Adams at Fordham
    • Played 34 games for the Boston Celtics in 1948-49 (coached by Doggie Julian)
  • Returned to his alma mater Fordham in 1950 to replace Adams as the Rams’ head coach
    • Went 262-193 in eighteen seasons at the helm, appearing in two NCAA Tournaments and five NITs
    • Won the 1963 Metro NY regular season title, the program’s first conference title
    • Also served as Fordham’s athletic director from 1958 to 1968
  • Left Fordham for Penn State in 1968, leading the Nittany Lions for ten seasons
    • After being Independent for his first eight seasons, Bach’s 1976-77 team won an A-10 title
  • Moved up to the NBA ranks in 1979, serving as an assistant Al Attles with the Golden State Warriors
    • Was interim head coach for 21 games in 1980, then three full seasons 1983-86
    • Went 95-172 overall, missing the Playoffs in each of the four seasons he was head coach
  • Spent the rest of his career as an NBA assistant, working with four different franchises
    • Head coaches he assisted include Doug Collins, Phil Jackson, Allan Bristow and Scott Skiles
    • Was a part of the Bulls’ first three-peat, coaching the likes of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen
    • Returned to the Bulls in 2003 and coached three more seasons before retiring from the game in 2006
  • Passed away in 2016, aged 91, from complications following a stroke
    • Survived by his wife, Mary, his five children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren

Johnny Bach Coaching Tree

 

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