George E. Keogan

Innovative and visionary, George Keogan’s style of basketball featured the shifting man-to-man defense and strong pivot play. After ten successful years coaching at five different colleges, Keogan came to Notre Dame in 1923 and quickly put his stamp on the basketball program. In 20 seasons as coach of the Fighting Irish, Keogan won 77 percent of his games. At a time when basketball was not highly regarded at Notre Dame, Keogan molded winning teams every year. An ardent student of strategy and technique, Keogan’s success as the Fighting Irish’s basketball coach rivaled those made by the football team under Knute Rockne. Basketball lost a great man when Keogan died suddenly at the age of 53. In 27 seasons he never experienced a losing record and on four occasions his teams won at least 20 games. In five seasons Keogan recorded a winning percentage of .900 or better.