Charles “Lefty” Driesell, a Hall of Fame college basketball coach known for building Maryland into a national power, has passed away at the age of 92. Driesell, who was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and began his coaching career at his alma mater, Duke, before moving on to Maryland, JMU, and Georgia State, died on February 17, 2024.
Driesell, who was named National Coach of the Year in 1974, 1980, and 1982, is best known for his tenure at Maryland, where he coached from 1969 to 1986. During that time, he led the Terrapins to six Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championships and made 14 NCAA tournament appearances. Driesell’s teams also reached the Final Four in 1975, where they lost to eventual champion UCLA.
Driesell was a pioneer in many ways. He was the first coach to win 100 games at four different schools, and he was the first coach to win 20 games in 19 consecutive seasons. He was also the first coach to take three different teams to the NCAA tournament.
Driesell was known for his folksy and fiery personality, as well as his ability to connect with his players. He was a master motivator and was known for his “Bring Back the Pride” campaign, which he used to re-energize the Maryland basketball program in the early 1970s.
Driesell’s impact on the game of basketball extended beyond his own teams. He was a mentor to many young coaches, including Nolan Richardson, who went on to win a national championship at Arkansas, and Billy Donovan, who won two national championships at Florida.
Driesell’s legacy will be remembered not only for his on-court success but also for his impact on the game of basketball. He was a true innovator and a trailblazer, and his influence will be felt for generations to come.
Driesell is survived by his wife, Judy, and his three children, Chuck, Jr., Jeni, and Kelley.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Foundation, which supports programs that help young people develop the skills necessary to succeed both on and off the court.
Early Life and Career of Lefty Driesell
Charles “Lefty” Driesell was born on January 23, 1930, in Norfolk, Virginia. He grew up in a family of modest means and learned the value of hard work and perseverance at an early age.
Driesell attended Maury High School in Norfolk, where he played basketball and baseball. He was a standout athlete and was heavily recruited by colleges for both sports. However, Driesell chose to attend Duke University, where he played basketball under Coach Harold Bradley.
After graduating from Duke in 1954, Driesell began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater. He spent two years at Duke before moving on to Davidson College, where he served as the head basketball coach from 1957 to 1960.
In 1960, Driesell was hired as the head basketball coach at the University of Maryland. He spent the next six years building the program from the ground up, recruiting top talent and implementing his signature high-pressure, up-tempo style of play.
Driesell’s hard work paid off, as the Terrapins quickly became one of the top teams in the ACC. In 1966, Driesell led Maryland to its first ACC championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament.
Despite his success at Maryland, Driesell was lured away by James Madison University (JMU) in 1969. He spent the next seven years at JMU, where he continued to build his coaching legacy.
In 1977, Driesell returned to Maryland, where he would spend the next nine years as the head basketball coach. It was during this second stint at Maryland that Driesell would achieve his greatest success, leading the Terrapins to six ACC championships and a berth in the 1975 Final Four.
Driesell’s impact on the game of basketball extended beyond his own teams. He was a mentor to many young coaches, including Nolan Richardson, who went on to win a national championship at Arkansas, and Billy Donovan, who won two national championships at Florida.
Driesell’s legacy will be remembered not only for his on-court success but also for his impact on the game of basketball. He was a true innovator and a trailblazer, and his influence will be felt for generations to come.
Tenure as Maryland Basketball Coach
Lefty Driesell’s tenure as the head basketball coach at the University of Maryland is widely regarded as one of the most successful and impactful in the school’s history.
Driesell was hired as the head coach at Maryland in 1969, and he quickly set about rebuilding a program that had struggled in recent years. He recruited top talent, implemented his signature high-pressure, up-tempo style of play, and instilled a sense of pride and tradition in the program.
Driesell’s hard work paid off, as the Terrapins quickly became one of the top teams in the ACC. In 1969-70, his first season at Maryland, Driesell led the Terrapins to a 15-9 record and a berth in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The following season, Driesell led Maryland to its first ACC championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament. The Terrapins would go on to win the ACC championship in each of the next five seasons, making a total of seven NCAA tournament appearances during Driesell’s tenure.
Driesell’s teams were known for their high-scoring, exciting style of play. He was a pioneer in implementing a full-court press defense, which he used to disrupt opposing offenses and create turnovers. The Terrapins also featured a fast-paced, up-and-down offense that was difficult for opponents to defend.
Driesell’s impact on the game of basketball extended beyond his own teams. He was a mentor to many young coaches, including Nolan Richardson, who went on to win a national championship at Arkansas, and Billy Donovan, who won two national championships at Florida.
Driesell’s legacy at Maryland will be remembered not only for his on-court success but also for his impact on the game of basketball. He was a true innovator and a trailblazer, and his influence will be felt for generations to come.
Driesell’s tenure at Maryland came to an end in 1986, when he was fired after a disappointing 12-15 season. However, his impact on the program and the game of basketball will never be forgotten.
Legacy and Contributions to the Game
Lefty Driesell’s legacy and contributions to the game of basketball are vast and far-reaching. Driesell was a pioneer in many ways, known for his innovative coaching strategies and his ability to connect with his players. He was one of the first coaches to use a full-court press defense, which he used to disrupt opposing offenses and create turnovers. This strategy, which is now common in the game of basketball, was a hallmark of Driesell’s teams and helped to define his coaching style.
Driesell was also a master motivator, known for his ability to inspire his players to play at their highest level. He was a firm believer in the power of positive reinforcement and used this approach to build some of the most successful teams in college basketball history.
Driesell’s impact on the game of basketball extended beyond his own teams. He was a mentor to many young coaches, including Nolan Richardson, who went on to win a national championship at Arkansas, and Billy Donovan, who won two national championships at Florida.
Driesell’s legacy will also be remembered for his impact on the game at the collegiate level. He was a strong advocate for athletes’ rights and was instrumental in the creation of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Foundation, which supports programs that help young people develop the skills necessary to succeed both on and off the court.
Driesell’s contributions to the game of basketball will never be forgotten. He was a true innovator and a trailblazer, and his influence will be felt for generations to come.
Tributes and Remembrances
Tributes and remembrances are a meaningful way to honor the memory of Lefty Driesell, a legendary college basketball coach who left an indelible mark on the sport. His passing on February 17, 2024, has left a void in the basketball community, but his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the games he inspired.
As a coach, Driesell was known for his relentless work ethic, his ability to develop his players, and his passion for the game. He was a master motivator who pushed his teams to be their best, and his success on the court speaks to his dedication and skill.
But Driesell’s impact went far beyond the basketball court. He was a mentor, a friend, and a role model to countless young men and women who played for him, and his influence extended to their families and communities. He was a beloved figure who touched the lives of many, and his loss is deeply felt.
In the days and weeks following his passing, tributes and remembrances have poured in from all corners of the basketball world. Fans, players, and coaches have shared their memories of Driesell, recalling his wit, his wisdom, and his unwavering commitment to the game. His family, friends, and former players have spoken of his kindness, his generosity, and his unwavering support for those around him.
As the basketball community mourns the loss of Lefty Driesell, we take comfort in the knowledge that his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the games he inspired. His memory will be honored and celebrated for generations to come, and his impact on the sport of basketball will never be forgotten.
