Coaching Career
After his playing career ended, Groza became the coach of Bellarmine University (now University) in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1963, Groza led the Knights to a Kentucky Intercolliegiate Athletic Conference title and was named KIAC coach of the year. Groza left Bellarmine in 1966 for a brief coaching and managerial career in the American Basketball Association. Between 1971 and 1975, Groza coached 40 games with the Kentucky Colonels and San Diego Conquistadors and held a number of front office positions including becoming the Kentucky Colonels' business manager in 1969 and general manager of the San Diego Conquistadors in 1972 (and, later, San Diego's head coach). Groza was 2-0 as coach of the Colonels but 15-23 as coach of the Conquistadors, putting his career coaching record at 17-23 . Groza served as general manager of the San Diego Conquistadors beginning in 1972 until taking over as the team's coach in 1974, replacing Wilt Chamberlain. In 1975 Groza became director of player development for the San Diego Sails of the ABA.
An interesting statistic is that, according to ESPN's NBA Fastbreak (show on May 28, 2009 after Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James scored 37 in Game 5 versus Orlando Magic), Groza holds the all-time highest point average among players during a playoff elimination game (4 games span.)
Read more about this topic: Alex Groza
Famous quotes containing the word career:
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—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)