John Paul McKinney, famously known as Jack McKinney, was primarily known for his successful career as a basketball coach, holding positions at both the college and professional levels.
His time as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1972–73 season is particularly notable. He revolutionized the game with his introduction of the up-tempo style of play, later coined “Showtime.”
Unfortunately, his coaching tenure with the Lakers abruptly ended after just one season due to a bicycle accident.
Jack McKinney, a native of Chester, Pennsylvania, was born on July 13, 1935. His parents, Paul McKinney and Jen McMahon, played pivotal roles in his upbringing.
While his mother cared for the household as a homemaker, his father worked diligently as a police detective.
Jack was blessed with three older siblings who undoubtedly brought joy and companionship to his childhood: Richard, Mary Ann, and Edgar.
Growing up in Chester provided Jack with a sense of community and belonging. He pursued his education at St. James High School, where he had the opportunity to showcase his athletic abilities as a basketball player under the guidance of coach Jack Ramsay.
As a USC assistant coach, McKinney initiated his coaching journey, working alongside the renowned Rod Dedeaux.
Afterwards, he assumed the head coach role at Loyola Marymount University in 1965. During his tenure, he guided the Lions to three NCAA Tournament appearances and secured a West Coast Conference championship in 1968.
After joining the Portland Trail Blazers as an assistant coach in 1970, McKinney played a crucial role in winning the NBA championship 1977.
Subsequently, he was appointed as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. At that time, the Lakers encountered numerous challenges, but McKinney swiftly transformed their performance by implementing a high-speed and offense-focused style of play.
Additionally, he contributed significantly to the development of Magic Johnson, honoured with the Rookie of the Year award in 1980.
McKinney, who led the Lakers to the playoffs during his tenure as head coach, suffered an unfortunate incident in 1981: a bike accident that resulted in permanent brain damage.
Despite this setback, McKinney’s impact on basketball remains significant. Regarded as one of the most innovative coaches in history, his fast-breaking style of play continues to influence teams today and is recognized for revolutionizing the game.
Jack McKinney does not have a social media account.
McKinney’s marriage to Claire, the specific dates of their union and any possible separation remain unknown.
Moreover, whether McKinney had any children with Claire or from previous relationships has yet to be verified.
Jack McKinney’s precise net worth proves challenging as limited information is available regarding his financial status.
Nevertheless, we can gather some understanding of his wealth by considering his professional journey and the average income ranges for basketball coaches at the time.
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