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{{Short description|American basketball coach}}
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2009}}
{{Infobox college coach
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Ken Loeffler
| name = Ken Loeffler
| image =
| image = Ken_Loeffler.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Loeffler from the 1956 ''Aggieland''
| alt =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1902|4|14}}
| caption =
| birth_place =
| sport = [[Basketball]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1975|1|1|1902|4|14}}
| current_title =
| death_place = [[Rumson, New Jersey]], U.S.
| current_team =
| current_conference =
| alma_mater =
| player_years1 = 1920–1924
| current_record =
| player_team1 = [[Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball|Penn State]]
| contract =
| coach_years1 = 1928–1935
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1902|4|14}}
| coach_team1 = [[Geneva Golden Tornadoes men's basketball|Geneva]]
| birth_place =
| coach_years2 = 1935–1942
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1975|1|1|1902|4|14}}
| coach_team2 = [[Yale Bulldogs men's basketball|Yale]]
| death_place =
| coach_years3 = 1945–1946
| alma_mater =
| coach_team3 = [[Denver Pioneers men's basketball|Denver]]
| player_years = 1920-1924
| coach_years4 = 1946–1948
| player_teams = [[Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball|Penn State]]
| coach_team4 = [[St. Louis Bombers (NBA)|St. Louis Bombers]]
| player_positions =
| coach_years5 = 1948–1949
| coach_years = 1928–1934<br>1935–1942<br>1945–1946<br>1946–1948<br>1948–1949<br>1949-1955<br>1955-1957
| coach_team5 = [[Providence Steamrollers]]
| coach_teams = [[Geneva College|Geneva]]<br>[[Yale Bulldogs men's basketball|Yale]]<br>[[Denver Pioneers men's basketball|Denver]]<br>[[St. Louis Bombers (NBA)|St. Louis Bombers]] ([[Basketball Association of America|BAA]])<br>[[Providence Steamrollers]] ([[National Basketball Association|NBA]])<br>[[La Salle Explorers men's basketball|La Salle]]<br>[[Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball|Texas A&M]]
| coach_years6 = 1949–1955
| admin_years =
| coach_team6 = [[La Salle Explorers men's basketball|La Salle]]
| admin_teams =
| coach_years7 = 1955–1957
| overall_record = College<br>370–213 ({{Winning percentage|370|213}})<br><br>Professional<br>79–90 ({{Winning percentage|79|90}})
| coach_team7 = [[Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball|Texas A&M]]
| bowl_record =
| overall_record = 320–213 (college)<br>79–90 (professional)
| tournament_record = NCAA: 9-1 ({{Winning percentage|9|1}})<br>NIT: 5-3 ({{Winning percentage|5|3}})<br>NBA Playoffs: 4-6 ({{Winning percentage|4|6}})
| CFbDWID =
| bowl_record =
| tournament_record = 9–1 ([[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA]])<br>5–3 ([[National Invitation Tournament|NIT]])<br>4–6 (BAA playoffs)
| championships = NCAA Champion (1954)<br>NCAA Final Four (1954, 1955)<br>NIT Champion (1952)
| championships = [[List of NCAA Men's Division I Basketball champions|NCAA]] ([[1954 NCAA basketball tournament|1954]])<br>2 NCAA Final Four (1954, [[1955 NCAA basketball tournament|1955]])<br>[[National Invitation Tournament|NIT]] ([[1952 NIT|1952]])
| awards =
| coaching_records =
| awards =
| CFBHOF_year =
| coaching_records =
| BASKHOF_year = 1964
| CFBHOF_id =
| CBBASKHOF_year = 2006
| BASKHOF_year = 1964
| BASKHOF_id = kenneth-d-ken-loeffler
| BASKHOF_id = ken-loeffler
| CBBASKHOF_year = 2006
| CBASEHOF_year =
}}
}}
'''Kenneth D. Loeffler''' (April 14, 1902 &ndash; January 1, 1975) was an American collegiate and professional [[basketball]] coach. He was mostly known for guiding the [[La Salle University]] [[La Salle Explorers basketball|men's basketball]] team to the 1954 [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA Championship]] and the 1952 [[National Invitation Tournament]] Championship.
'''Kenneth D. Loeffler''' (April 14, 1902 – January 1, 1975) was an American collegiate and professional [[basketball]] coach. He was mostly known for guiding the [[La Salle Explorers men's basketball]] team to the [[1952 National Invitation Tournament]] and [[1954 NCAA basketball tournament]] titles.


After earning a [[Bachelor's degree]] at [[Pennsylvania State University]] (1920–24) and a short pro basketball career (1924–29), the [[Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania]] native began his collegiate coaching career at [[Geneva College]] (1928–34). In 1934 he became basketball head coach at [[Yale University]], and also assistant coach to the [[American football|football]] and [[baseball]] varsity. In seven years at Yale Loeffler put up a 61-82 record. During [[World War II]] he served in the [[U.S. Air Force]].
After earning a [[Bachelor's degree]] at [[Pennsylvania State University]] (1920–24) and a short pro basketball career (1924–29), the [[Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania]] native began his collegiate coaching career at [[Geneva College]] (1928–35). In 1935 he became basketball head coach at [[Yale University]], and also assistant coach to the [[American football|football]] and [[baseball]] varsity. In seven years at Yale Loeffler put up a 61–82 record. During [[World War II]] he served in the [[U.S. Air Force]].


After the war Loeffler began coaching pro teams in the [[Basketball Association of America]]. First the [[St. Louis Bombers (NBA)|St. Louis Bombers]] (1946–48), then the [[Providence Steamrollers]] (1948–49). In 1949 he returned to the college ranks when he became head coach at La Salle. With players like future [[Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]er [[Tom Gola]], Loeffler's La Salle teams went on to dominate college basketball over half a decade in the early 1950s. In six seasons at La Salle, Loeffler led the [[La Salle Explorers|Explorers]] to a post-season appearance in every single season. Under Loeffler, La Salle made four trips to the NIT (before it was considered "second-rate") and two visits to the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA Tournament]]. In 1955 Loeffler moved on to become the head coach at [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M College]], a post he held until 1957.
After the war Loeffler began coaching pro teams in the [[Basketball Association of America]], first the [[St. Louis Bombers (NBA)|St. Louis Bombers]] (1946–48), then the [[Providence Steamrollers]] (1948–49). In 1949 he returned to the college ranks when he became head coach at La Salle. With players like future Hall of Famer [[Tom Gola]], Loeffler's La Salle teams went on to dominate college basketball over half a decade in the early 1950s. In six seasons at La Salle, Loeffler led the [[La Salle Explorers|Explorers]] to a post-season appearance in every single season. Under Loeffler, La Salle made four trips to the NIT (before it was considered "second-rate") and two visits to the [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA tournament]]. In 1955 Loeffler moved on to become the head coach at [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M College]], a post he held until 1957.


On October 1, 1964, Loeffler was elected to the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]]. He died on January 1, 1975, of an apparent heart attack, in [[Rumson, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Ken Loeffler, Who Led LaSalle To Basketball Titles, Dies at 72 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/03/archives/ken-loeffler-who-led-lasalle-to-basketball-titles-dies-at-72.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 3, 1975 |access-date=July 6, 2018 }}</ref>
On October 1, 1964, he was elected to the [[Basketball Hall of Fame]].


==Head coaching record==
==Head coaching record==

===College basketball===
===College===
{{CBB Yearly Record Start
{{CBB Yearly Record Start | type = | conference = | postseason = | poll = }}
|type=coach
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
|conference=
| name = [[Geneva Golden Tornadoes men's basketball|Geneva Covenanters]]
|postseason=
| conference = Independent
|poll=no
| startyear = 1928
| endyear = 1935
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|
|name=[[Geneva College|Geneva Covenanters]]
|startyear=1928
|conference=Independent
|endyear=1934
|}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1928–29
| season = 1928–1929
| name = Geneva
| name = Geneva
| overall = 14-5
| overall = 14–5
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
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}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1929–30
| season = 1929–1930
| name = Geneva
| name = Geneva
| overall = 10-9
| overall = 10–9
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
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}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1930–31
| season = 1930–1931
| name = Geneva
| name = Geneva
| overall = 13-10
| overall = 13–10
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
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}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1931–32
| season = 1931–1932
| name = Geneva
| name = Geneva
| overall = 14-7
| overall = 14–7
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
Line 97: Line 88:
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1932–33
| season = 1932–1933
| name = Geneva
| name = Geneva
| overall = 13-6
| overall = 13–6
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
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}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| season = 1933–34
| season = 1933–1934
| name = Geneva
| name = Geneva
| overall = 13-9
| overall = 13–9
| conference =
| confstanding =
| postseason =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = 1934–35
| name = Geneva
| overall = 16–7
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
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| confrecord =
| confrecord =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
|name=[[Yale Bulldogs men's basketball|Yale Bulldogs]]
| name = [[Yale Bulldogs men's basketball|Yale Bulldogs]]
| conference = [[Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League]]
|startyear=1935
| startyear = 1935
|conference=[[Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League]]
|endyear=1942
| endyear = 1942
|}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1935–36 NCAA men's basketball season|1935–36]]
| championship =
| season = 1935–1936
| name = Yale
| name = Yale
| overall = 8-16
| overall = 8–16
| conference = 6-6
| conference = 6–6
| confstanding = T-3rd
| confstanding = T–3rd
| postseason =
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1936–37 NCAA men's basketball season|1936–37]]
| championship =
| season = 1936–1937
| name = Yale
| name = Yale
| overall = 12-8
| overall = 12–8
| conference = 7-5
| conference = 7–5
| confstanding = T-3rd
| confstanding = T–3rd
| postseason =
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1937–38 NCAA men's basketball season|1937–38]]
| championship =
| season = 1937–1938
| name = Yale
| name = Yale
| overall = 7-12
| overall = 7–12
| conference = 3-9
| conference = 3–9
| confstanding = 7th
| confstanding = 7th
| postseason =
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1938–39 NCAA men's basketball season|1938–39]]
| championship =
| season = 1938–1939
| name = Yale
| name = Yale
| overall = 4-16
| overall = 4–16
| conference = 3-9
| conference = 3–9
| confstanding = 6th
| confstanding = 6th
| postseason =
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1939–40 NCAA men's basketball season|1939–40]]
| championship =
| season = 1939–1940
| name = Yale
| name = Yale
| overall = 13-6
| overall = 13–6
| conference = 7-5
| conference = 7–5
| confstanding = T-3rd
| confstanding = T–3rd
| postseason =
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1940–41 NCAA men's basketball season|1940–41]]
| championship =
| season = 1940–1941
| name = Yale
| name = Yale
| overall = 10-12
| overall = 10–12
| conference = 4-8
| conference = 4–8
| confstanding = T-4th
| confstanding = T–4th
| postseason =
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1941–42 NCAA men's basketball season|1941–42]]
| championship =
| season = 1941–1942
| name = Yale
| name = Yale
| overall = 7-12
| overall = 7–12
| conference = 3-9
| conference = 3–9
| confstanding = 6th
| confstanding = 6th
| postseason =
| postseason =
Line 193: Line 183:
| confrecord = 33–51 ({{Winning percentage|33|51}})
| confrecord = 33–51 ({{Winning percentage|33|51}})
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
|name=[[Denver Pioneers men's basketball|Denver Pioneers]]
| name = [[Denver Pioneers men's basketball|Denver Pioneers]]
| conference = [[Mountain States Conference]]
|startyear=1945
| startyear = 1945
|conference=[[Mountain States Conference]]
|endyear=1946
| endyear = 1946
|}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1945–46 NCAA men's basketball season|1945–46]]
| championship =
| season = 1945–1946
| name = Denver
| name = Denver
| overall = 9-15
| overall = 9–15
| conference = 1-11
| conference = 1–11
| confstanding = 7th
| confstanding = 7th
| postseason =
| postseason =
Line 213: Line 202:
| confrecord = 1–11 ({{Winning percentage|1|11}})
| confrecord = 1–11 ({{Winning percentage|1|11}})
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
|name=[[La Salle Explorers men's basketball|La Salle Explorers]]
| name = [[La Salle Explorers men's basketball|La Salle Explorers]]
| conference = Independent
|startyear=1949
| startyear = 1949
|conference=Independent
|endyear=1955
| endyear = 1955
|}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1949–50 NCAA men's basketball season|1949–50]]
| championship =
| season = 1949–1950
| name = La Salle
| name = La Salle
| overall = 21-4
| overall = 21–4
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
| postseason = [[1950 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Quarterfinals]]
| postseason = [[1950 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Quarterfinal]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1950–51 NCAA men's basketball season|1950–51]]
| championship =
| season = 1950–1951
| name = La Salle
| name = La Salle
| overall = 22-7
| overall = 22–7
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
Line 238: Line 225:
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| championship = postseason
| season = 1951–1952
| season = [[1951–52 NCAA men's basketball season|1951–52]]
| name = La Salle
| name = [[1951–52 La Salle Explorers men's basketball team|La Salle]]
| overall = 24-5
| overall = 24–5
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
| postseason = '''[[1950 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Champions]]'''
| postseason = [[1952 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Champion]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1952–53 NCAA men's basketball season|1952–53]]
| championship =
| season = 1952–1953
| name = La Salle
| name = La Salle
| overall = 25-3
| overall = 25–3
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
| postseason = [[1950 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Quarterfinals]]
| postseason = [[1953 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Quarterfinal]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = national
| championship = national
| season = 1953–1954
| season = [[1953–54 NCAA men's basketball season|1953–54]]
| name = La Salle
| name = [[1953–54 La Salle Explorers men's basketball team|La Salle]]
| overall = 26-4
| overall = 26–4
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
| postseason = '''[[1954 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Champions]]'''
| postseason = [[1954 NCAA basketball tournament|NCAA Champion]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1954–55 NCAA men's basketball season|1954–55]]
| championship =
| name = [[1954–55 La Salle Explorers men's basketball team|La Salle]]
| season = 1954–1955
| name = La Salle
| overall = 26–5
| overall = 26-5
| conference =
| conference =
| confstanding =
| confstanding =
| postseason = [[1955 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Runner-up]]
| postseason = [[1955 NCAA basketball tournament|NCAA Runner-up]]
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
Line 278: Line 263:
| confrecord =
| confrecord =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead|
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
|name=[[Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball|Texas A&M Aggies]]
| name = [[Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball|Texas A&M Aggies]]
| conference = [[Southwest Conference]]
|startyear=1955
| startyear = 1955
|conference=[[Southwest Conference]]
|endyear=1957
| endyear = 1957
|}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1955–56 NCAA men's basketball season|1955–56]]
| championship =
| season = 1955–1956
| name = Texas A&M
| name = Texas A&M
| overall = 6-18
| overall = 6–18
| conference = 3-9
| conference = 3–9
| confstanding = T-5th
| confstanding = T–5th
| postseason =
| postseason =
}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
| season = [[1956–57 NCAA University Division men's basketball season|1956–57]]
| championship =
| season = 1956–1957
| name = Texas A&M
| name = Texas A&M
| overall = 7-17
| overall = 7–17
| conference = 3-9
| conference = 3–9
| confstanding = T-6th
| confstanding = T–6th
| postseason =
| postseason =
}}
}}
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}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record End
{{CBB Yearly Record End
|overall=370–213 ({{Winning percentage|370|213}})
| overall = 320–213 ({{Winning percentage|320|213}})
}}
}}


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| ||169||79||90||.467|| ||10||4||6||.400
| ||169||79||90||.467|| ||10||4||6||.400
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}

==See also==
* [[List of NCAA Division I Men's Final Four appearances by coach]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
* {{Basketballhof|ken-loeffler}}

{{Navboxes| list1 =
{{Geneva Golden Tornadoes men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Yale Bulldogs men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Yale Bulldogs men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Denver Pioneers men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Denver Pioneers men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{St. Louis Bombers (NBA) coach navbox}}
{{Providence Steamrollers coach navbox}}
{{Providence Steamrollers coach navbox}}
{{La Salle Explorers men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{La Salle Explorers men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Ken Loeffler – championships, awards and honors
| list1 =
{{1954 La Salle Explorers men's basketball navbox}}
{{1954 La Salle Explorers men's basketball navbox}}
{{1964 Basketball HOF}}
{{1964 Basketball HOF}}
{{Basketball Hall of Fame coaches}}
{{Basketball Hall of Fame coaches}}
}}
}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME =Loeffler, Ken
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =American basketball player-coach
| DATE OF BIRTH = April 14, 1902
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = January 1, 1975
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Loeffler, Ken}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Loeffler, Ken}}
[[Category:1902 births]]
[[Category:1902 births]]
[[Category:1975 deaths]]
[[Category:1975 deaths]]
[[Category:American basketball coaches]]
[[Category:American men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Basketball coaches from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:College men's basketball head coaches in the United States]]
[[Category:Denver Pioneers men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Denver Pioneers men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Geneva Golden Tornadoes men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:La Salle Explorers men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:La Salle Explorers men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:National Basketball Association head coaches]]
[[Category:National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Penn State Nittany Lions basketball players]]
[[Category:Penn State Nittany Lions basketball players]]
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[[Category:St. Louis Bombers (NBA) coaches]]
[[Category:St. Louis Bombers (NBA) coaches]]
[[Category:Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Yale Bulldogs baseball coaches]]
[[Category:Yale Bulldogs football coaches]]
[[Category:Yale Bulldogs men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Yale Bulldogs men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Yale Bulldogs football coaches]]
[[Category:Monmouth University faculty]]

Latest revision as of 00:42, 4 March 2023

Ken Loeffler
Loeffler from the 1956 Aggieland
Biographical details
Born(1902-04-14)April 14, 1902
DiedJanuary 1, 1975(1975-01-01) (aged 72)
Rumson, New Jersey, U.S.
Playing career
1920–1924Penn State
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1928–1935Geneva
1935–1942Yale
1945–1946Denver
1946–1948St. Louis Bombers
1948–1949Providence Steamrollers
1949–1955La Salle
1955–1957Texas A&M
Head coaching record
Overall320–213 (college)
79–90 (professional)
Tournaments9–1 (NCAA)
5–3 (NIT)
4–6 (BAA playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
NCAA (1954)
2 NCAA Final Four (1954, 1955)
NIT (1952)
Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1964 (profile)
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2006

Kenneth D. Loeffler (April 14, 1902 – January 1, 1975) was an American collegiate and professional basketball coach. He was mostly known for guiding the La Salle Explorers men's basketball team to the 1952 National Invitation Tournament and 1954 NCAA basketball tournament titles.

After earning a Bachelor's degree at Pennsylvania State University (1920–24) and a short pro basketball career (1924–29), the Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania native began his collegiate coaching career at Geneva College (1928–35). In 1935 he became basketball head coach at Yale University, and also assistant coach to the football and baseball varsity. In seven years at Yale Loeffler put up a 61–82 record. During World War II he served in the U.S. Air Force.

After the war Loeffler began coaching pro teams in the Basketball Association of America, first the St. Louis Bombers (1946–48), then the Providence Steamrollers (1948–49). In 1949 he returned to the college ranks when he became head coach at La Salle. With players like future Hall of Famer Tom Gola, Loeffler's La Salle teams went on to dominate college basketball over half a decade in the early 1950s. In six seasons at La Salle, Loeffler led the Explorers to a post-season appearance in every single season. Under Loeffler, La Salle made four trips to the NIT (before it was considered "second-rate") and two visits to the NCAA tournament. In 1955 Loeffler moved on to become the head coach at Texas A&M College, a post he held until 1957.

On October 1, 1964, Loeffler was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He died on January 1, 1975, of an apparent heart attack, in Rumson, New Jersey.[1]

Head coaching record[edit]

College[edit]

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Geneva Covenanters (Independent) (1928–1935)
1928–29 Geneva 14–5
1929–30 Geneva 10–9
1930–31 Geneva 13–10
1931–32 Geneva 14–7
1932–33 Geneva 13–6
1933–34 Geneva 13–9
1934–35 Geneva 16–7
Geneva: 93–53 (.637)
Yale Bulldogs (Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League) (1935–1942)
1935–36 Yale 8–16 6–6 T–3rd
1936–37 Yale 12–8 7–5 T–3rd
1937–38 Yale 7–12 3–9 7th
1938–39 Yale 4–16 3–9 6th
1939–40 Yale 13–6 7–5 T–3rd
1940–41 Yale 10–12 4–8 T–4th
1941–42 Yale 7–12 3–9 6th
Yale: 61–82 (.427) 33–51 (.393)
Denver Pioneers (Mountain States Conference) (1945–1946)
1945–46 Denver 9–15 1–11 7th
Denver: 9–15 (.375) 1–11 (.083)
La Salle Explorers (Independent) (1949–1955)
1949–50 La Salle 21–4 NIT Quarterfinal
1950–51 La Salle 22–7 NIT First Round
1951–52 La Salle 24–5 NIT Champion
1952–53 La Salle 25–3 NIT Quarterfinal
1953–54 La Salle 26–4 NCAA Champion
1954–55 La Salle 26–5 NCAA Runner-up
La Salle: 144–28 (.837)
Texas A&M Aggies (Southwest Conference) (1955–1957)
1955–56 Texas A&M 6–18 3–9 T–5th
1956–57 Texas A&M 7–17 3–9 T–6th
Texas A&M: 13–35 (.271) 6–18 (.250)
Total: 320–213 (.600)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Professional basketball[edit]

Legend
Regular season G Games coached W Games won L Games lost W–L % Win–loss %
Playoffs PG Playoff games PW Playoff wins PL Playoff losses PW–L % Playoff win–loss %
Team Year G W L W–L% Finish PG PW PL PW–L% Result
SLB 1946–47 61 38 23 .623 2nd in Western 3 1 2 .333 Lost in League Quarterfinals
SLB 1947–48 48 29 19 .604 1st in Western 7 3 4 .429 Lost in League Semifinals
PRO 1948–49 60 12 48 .200 6th in Eastern - - - - Missed Playoffs
Career 169 79 90 .467 10 4 6 .400

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ken Loeffler, Who Led LaSalle To Basketball Titles, Dies at 72". The New York Times. January 3, 1975. Retrieved July 6, 2018.

External links[edit]

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