Men’s Basketball Coaches

Bob McKillop

Bob McKillop first arrived at Davidson in 1978. He was an assistant for one season under Eddie Biedenbach before leaving to become one of the most successful coaches in the talent-rich New York high school basketball ranks. But his one year at the small Division I college left a lasting impression. And some 10 years later, when the Wildcats needed a new coach, McKillop re-surfaced in a development that has helped Davidson resurrect some of its past roundball glory. In his 19 seasons at the Wildcat helm, all of but one of his players have graduated, and they’ve become active student-athletes on campus and role models in the community’s elementary and middle schools.

Charles G. "Lefty" Driesell

Driesell is generally credited with putting Davidson on the national basketball map and recognized as the most successful basketball coach in school history. In nine seasons, he guided the Wildcats to a 176-64 record. In that span, the Wildcats were ranked nationally among the top ten four times. His 1966, 1968, and 1969 teams won the Southern Conference Tournament and went to the NCAA playoffs. In 1968 and 1969 they came within two and four points, respectively, of reaching the Final Four. Driesell was Southern Conference Coach of the Year in 1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966. Several of his recruits – Fred Hetzel and Dick Snyder – were first team All-Americans, and both enjoyed successful careers in the National Basketball Assocation. His 1964 team won 23 straight games to set school and Southern Conference records that still stand. The 1969 team ranked as high as second nationally and set a school record with 27 wins.