Dr. F. C. "Phog" Allen

As a University of Kansas student in 1905, Phog Allen played basketball for the inventor of the game, Dr. James Naismith. His performance produced three Letters from 1905-1907 and earned him a place on the roster of the K. C. Athletic Club. His coaching career at the University of Kansas began in 1907 and continued through 1909. When Allen told Dr. Naismith that he wanted to coach, Naismith replied, "You do not coach basketball, you play it." He simultaneously coached at the University of Kansas, Baker University in nearby Baldwin City, and Haskell Indian Institute in Lawrence. After the 1909 season he dropped out of coaching until 1912, when he began coaching at Central Missouri State University. His record there of 102 wins against 7 losses and 7 titles established him as a revered coach. He returned to the University of Kansas in 1919 to serve as athletic director, football coach, and basketball coach, and in 1923 he initiated the K.U. Relays. Basketball remained his passion. His K.U. teams won 24 conference titles, the NCAA in 1952, and National Titles awarded by the Helms Foundation for 1922 and 1923. His 1940 and 1953 teams won the NCAA Western Region Title but lost in the finals. He also coached 14 All-Americans. Phog Allen was one of the founders of the Basketball Coaches Assoc., was named Coach of the Year in 1950, became a charter member of the Helms Basketball Hall of Fame, and was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959.

Lawrence, Kansas · United States