Bill Walton

Related Biography: Coach Jack Ramsay

One of the winningest coaches in NBA history, Jack Ramsay piled up 826 wins (against 732 losses) in two decades of coaching pro basketball.

Ramsay was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 21, 1925. He played basketball at Upper Darby (PA) High School, winning All-County honors. After graduating from high school in 1942, Ramsay served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 until 1946. After his discharge, he enrolled at St. Joseph's College, near Philadelphia, where he played for four years. After graduating, Ramsay became basketball coach at St. James High (PA) School where he stayed from 1949 until 1952. Ramsay returned to St. Joseph's to coach basketball in 1955.

Ramsay debuted as a pro basketball coach in 1968 when he joined the Philadelphia 76ers. Between 1972 and 1976, Ramsay coached the Buffalo Braves. In 1976, he became coach of the Portland Trailblazers. In Ramsay's ten years with the Trailblazers, the team made it to the playoffs nine times.

Ramsay's NBA coaching career ended in 1986-87 when he guided the Indiana Pacers to a record of 41-41. When he retired, he had the second highest number of wins of any coach in NBA history, trailing only Red Auerbach.