Lefty Driesell Hall of Fame NBA

Lefty Driesell was one of college basketball’s most charismatic and influential coaches, known for turning struggling programs into national contenders. Over a 41-year coaching career, Driesell compiled 786 wins and became the first coach in NCAA history to win 100+ games at four different schools — Davidson, Maryland, James Madison, and Georgia State.

He transformed the University of Maryland into an ACC powerhouse in the 1970s and 1980s, recruiting elite talent and packing arenas. Driesell famously started "Midnight Madness," the now-iconic tradition of opening the college basketball season with a late-night practice. Though he never won a national title, his impact on the game’s popularity, style, and recruiting was immense.

He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Driesell's Awards and Honors

• 2× ACC Coach of the Year (1975, 1980)
• 4× SoCon Coach of the Year (1963–1966)
• 2× CAA Coach of the Year (1990, 1992)
• TAAC Coach of the Year (2001)
• NCAA Award of Valor (1974)
• First coach to win 100+ games at four Division I schools
• Career 786 wins ranks among top 15 all-time in Division I

NCAA Teams

Granby HS 1954–1956
Newport News HS 1957–1959
Davidson 1960–1969
Maryland 1969–1986
James Madison 1988–1996
Georgia State 1997–2003

NCAA Stats

Seasons:
41 (1960–2003)
Career Record:
786–394 (.666)
NCAA Tournament Appearances:
13
Sweet 16s:
6
Elite 8s:
2
Conference Titles:
5