Georgetown Basketball History Project

THE GEORGETOWN BASKETBALL HISTORY PROJECT

"If all Maurice Joyce had ever done was serve as the first coach of basketball at Georgetown University, that alone would be a story worth telling. In fact, his four years were just one of any number of stops among a remarkable journey that took him to careers ranging from a circus performer to that of a United States marshal."

James Colliflower (1911-14, 1921-22)

"In 1962, the Washington Post called James Colliflower "the fellow who has a hand in everything that goes on around Washington." A lifelong Washingtonian, Colliflower was a part of the Georgetown community for six decades and twice served as its head basketball coach."

John O'Reilly (1914-21, 1923-1927)

"In a two decade career as a Georgetown coach and administrator, few were as beloved among its student body than John D. O'Reilly, who coached men's basketball in two periods from 1914 through 1927."

Jackie Maloney (1922-23)

"One of Georgetown's most popular athletes of his day, Jackie Maloney's time as head basketball coach is, like the man himself, all but forgotten today."

Elmer Ripley (1927-29, 38-43, 46-49)

"For sixty years, Elmer Ripley was among the most recognized figures in basketball, and coached at Georgetown in three terms over a two decade period."

Bill Dudack (1929-1930)

"A coach for 42 years at New York's LaSalle Academy, Bill Dudack got his start in coaching through one season at Georgetown, where he starred as a three sport athlete."

John Colrick (1930-1931)

"In over 100 years of Georgetown basketball, John Colrick holds the mark for the fewest wins as a head coach, just five."

Fred Mesmer (1931-1938)

"Georgetown's youngest ever head coach was 23 year old Fred Mesmer, who was called into action to coach the Hoyas while studying at its law school downtown."

Ken Engles (1945-1946)

"In 1945, Georgetown wanted to revive its pre-war basketball team, but its coach was still under contract at Notre Dame for six more months. One of Ripley's former players was called back into action."

Buddy O'Grady (1949-1952)

"The end of the Elmer Ripley era began a run of five coaches over the next 25 years, none which lasted more than six seasons. An assistant under Elmer Ripley, former Georgetown letterman Buddy O'Grady piloted the club for three seasons from 1949 through 1952."

Buddy Jeannette (1952-1956)

"Buddy Jeannette came to Georgetown following a successful NBA playing and coaching career, including a title with the original Baltimore Bullets."

Tom Nolan (1956-1960)

"A basketball letterman from 1935-1938, Georgetown Hall of Fame baseball coach Tom Nolan assumed the basketball duties following Buddy Jeannette's departure in 1956."

Tom O'Keefe (1960-1966)

"A decade after a 1,000 point career mark at the Hilltop, Tom O'Keefe was named head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas in 1960."

Jack Magee (1966-1972)

"When Georgetown held a search for a new coach in 1966, not a single college head coach or assistant applied. But following a recommendation from Boston College coach Bob Cousy, Georgetown hired the coach at Boston's Catholic Memorial HS, Jack Magee. "

John Thompson (1972-1999)

"Hired at the age of 30... Georgetown officials hoped the new coach could take the Hoyas to an NIT bid every few years or so. Over the next twenty-seven years, Thompson changed the course of basketball at Georgetown."

Craig Esherick (1999-2004)

"Craig Esherick was thrust into the national spotlight upon John Thompson's sudden resignation in January 1999. Largely unknown to the national media, Esherick had been a part of Georgetown basketball for a quarter-century."

John Thompson III (2004-2017)

"John Thompson III, eldest son of John Thompson, arrived at GU following ten years on the Princeton coaching staff, propelling the Hoyas into the NCAA Sweet 16 in his second season, and the Final Four in his third. Yet his fall from coaching was as rapid as his rise."

Patrick Ewing (2017-2023)

"Thus was the Patrick Ewing paradox: the school's most prominent former player and the heir of the John Thompson dynasty ended his career, and the dynasty itself, holding the school's worst career coaching record."

Ed Cooley (2023-)

In his first 53 years, Ed Cooley never lived or worked anywhere outside a one hour radius of his home town of Providence, RI. It would take a special opportunity to leave, and such an opportunity came when Georgetown officials offered him its head coaching position in March 2023.