Robert Timmons

Robert Timmons (1912-2004)

Teams coached: Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh record: 174-189 (.479)
Overall record: 174-189 (.479)

Career Accomplishments:

• NCAA National Championships:  0
• NCAA Tournament Appearances:  3  (1957, 1958, 1963)
• NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen:  1  (1957)
• NCAA Tournament Final Four:  0
• NIT Championships:  0
• NIT Appearances:  1  (1964)

Coaching Career (head coach, unless noted):

1953-1968

Pittsburgh

Robert Timmons Facts

• Robert Timmons
• Born November 23, 1912
• Died April 29, 2004
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Alma Mater: University of Pittsburgh (BA, 1934)
• After graduating from Allegheny HS (PA), Timmons played football at Pittsburgh, earning two letters
• Started out coaching football at Smithfield HS (OH) from 1934-36 and New Brighton HS (PA) from 1936-39
• Became an assistant football coach at Indiana (PA) Teacher’s College in 1939 and later became head basketball coach there
• Joined the United States Navy in 1942 and served in the South Pacific during WWII; honorable discharged as a lieutenant in 1946
• Returned to Pitt initially to be the defensive ends coach with the football program, working in that role until 1953
• Timmons became the head basketball coach at his alma mater in 1953, going 174-189 over the next 15 years at the helm
  • Led the Panthers to three NCAA Tournaments (1957, 1958, 1963) and the first NIT in program history (1964)
  • During his most successful years, Timmons’ teams were led by AP All-American guard Don Hennon
  • Finished above .500 seven times and won 17+ games on three separate occasions
• Passed away in 2004 at the age of 91; survived by his son, his daughter, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren

Robert Timmons Coaching Tree

• Tim Grgurich (UNLV, Pittsburgh)
• Royce Waltman (Indianapolis, Indiana State, DePauw)