Jack Gardner
Inducted:
1984
Stats
Born
March 29, 1910
Texico, New Mexico, U.S.
Died
April 9, 2000
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Position
Coach
College
University of Southern California
Jack Gardner, famously known as "The Fox," was a tactical genius who specialized in the up-tempo, fast-break style of play. His legendary status was earned entirely in the collegiate ranks at Kansas State and the University of Utah. Gardner holds the historic distinction of being the first coach in NCAA history to lead two different programs to the Final Four twice each (Kansas State in 1948, 1951; Utah in 1961, 1966).
From 1979 until the mid-1990s, he served as a key consultant for the Utah Jazz, where he is most famously credited with "discovering" and advocating for a little-known guard from Gonzaga named John Stockton. For his 649 career victories and his profound impact on coaching philosophy, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
Gardner's Awards & Records
- 4 NCAA Regional—Final Four (1948, 1951, 1961, 1966)
- 3 Big Six/Seven (1948, 1950, 1951)
- 4 Skyline (1955, 1956, 1959, 1962)
- WAC (1966)
- NABC Golden Anniversary Award (1982)
- National Coach of the Year (1970)
- Only coach to take two different schools to the Final Four twice each
- Member of 11 different Halls of Fame
NBA Team
Kansas State (1939–1942,1946–1953)
Utah (1953–1971)
NBA Stats
Seasons:
28 (1939–1971)
Wins:
486 (Major College) / 649 (Overall)
Losses:
235 (Major College)
Win(%):
.674
Final Four Appearances:
4 (1948, 1951, 1961, 1966)
Conference Titles:
8 (3 at Kansas State, 5 at Utah)
Postseason Appearances:
10