Charles "Lefty" Driesell was a renowned American college basketball coach known for his program-building prowess. He holds the distinction of being the first coach to achieve over 100 wins at four different NCAA Division I institutions: Davidson College, University of Maryland, James Madison University, and Georgia State University. Driesell's successful coaching career, which included 21 seasons with 20 or more wins and 21 conference or conference tournament titles, earned him recognition as "the greatest program builder in the history of basketball." Upon his retirement in 2003, he ranked as the fourth-winningest NCAA Division I men's basketball coach. Before embarking on his coaching journey, Driesell played college basketball at Duke University.
December 25, 1931: Birth of Lefty Driesell
On December 25, 1931, Charles Grice "Lefty" Driesell was born. He would go on to become a prominent figure in American college basketball.
1950: Lefty Driesell Attends Duke University
After graduating high school in 1950, Lefty Driesell received a full scholarship to attend Duke University, where he played as center for the basketball team under Coach Harold Bradley.
December 14, 1952: Marriage to Joyce
While studying at Duke University, Driesell married Joyce, his childhood sweetheart, on December 14, 1952. This began a lifelong partnership that spanned decades.
1954: Lefty Driesell Starts His Coaching Career
After graduating from Duke University in 1954, Driesell took a job at Ford Motor Company but also returned to his playing career. He also took on coaching roles at his old high school, marking the beginning of his coaching journey.
1954: Lefty Driesell Graduates from Duke University
In 1954, Driesell graduated from Duke University with a bachelor's degree in education.
1960: Lefty Driesell Becomes Head Coach at Davidson College
Lefty Driesell started his tenure as head coach at Davidson College in 1960, marking a significant step in his coaching career.
1963: Southern Conference Coach of the Year
Driesell was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year for the first time in 1963, marking the beginning of his recognition as a top coach in the conference.
1963: Lefty Driesell's Winning Streak at Davidson
Driesell's success at Davidson was evident in his impressive winning streak, starting in 1963 when his teams consistently earned him the Southern Conference Sportswriters Association Coach of the Year award.
1966: Consecutive Southern Conference Coach of the Year Awards
By 1966, Driesell had earned the Southern Conference Coach of the Year award four consecutive times, solidifying his dominance and impact on the conference.
1966: Lefty Driesell's Continued Success at Davidson
Driesell's streak of success at Davidson College continued until 1966. During his time at Davidson, he was a skilled recruiter and he led his teams to multiple championships.
March 19, 1969: Lefty Driesell Joins University of Maryland
On March 19, 1969, Lefty Driesell was hired by the University of Maryland, College Park, where he aimed to establish the Terrapins as a basketball powerhouse.
1969: Lefty Driesell Begins Coaching at Maryland
Lefty Driesell began his time coaching the Maryland Terrapins in 1969.
1969: Lefty Driesell Leaves Davidson College
In 1969, Driesell concluded his time as the head coach at Davidson College.
October 15, 1971: Lefty Driesell Starts Midnight Madness
On October 15, 1971, Lefty Driesell, in a bid to maximize practice time and engage fans, held a late-night practice that evolved into the now-famous "Midnight Madness" tradition in college basketball.
1972: Maryland Terrapins Achieve National Prominence
By 1972, the Maryland Terrapins, under Driesell's guidance, had achieved national recognition and a No. 2 ranking, fulfilling the goals he set at the start of his tenure.
1972: Maryland Wins NIT Championship
In 1972, Lefty Driesell led the Maryland Terrapins to victory in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), further cementing his reputation as a skilled coach and the program's rise to national prominence.
July 12, 1973: Lefty Driesell's Heroic Act
On July 12, 1973, Lefty Driesell demonstrated extraordinary courage by rescuing several children from a fire in Bethany Beach, Delaware, showcasing his heroism beyond the basketball court. He was awarded the NCAA Award of Valor for this act.
1974: Maryland Wins FIBA Intercontinental Cup
In 1974, Lefty Driesell coached the Maryland Terrapins to an impressive victory in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, showcasing their dominance on an international stage.
1974: Maryland's Loss to NC State
In a memorable game in 1974, the Maryland Terrapins, under Lefty Driesell, faced a heartbreaking loss against North Carolina State University in the ACC men's basketball tournament, preventing them from advancing to the NCAA tournament that year.
1974: Moses Malone Skips College, Joins ABA
In a pivotal moment in basketball history, Moses Malone, a highly sought-after prospect coached by Lefty Driesell at Maryland, chose to forgo college and directly entered the ABA in 1974, paving the way for future generations of players.
1975: ACC Coach of the Year
Driesell's coaching prowess earned him the ACC Coach of the Year award in 1975, highlighting his success in one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball.
1976: Maryland Terrapins Maintain Top Ranking
The Maryland Terrapins, coached by Lefty Driesell, maintained their impressive No. 2 ranking for four consecutive seasons, solidifying their position in college basketball until 1976.
1980: Second ACC Coach of the Year Award
Driesell's continued excellence at the helm of the Maryland basketball program earned him his second ACC Coach of the Year award in 1980.
1983: Allegations Against Lefty Driesell
In 1983, Lefty Driesell faced serious allegations, as a female student at the University of Maryland accused him of making intimidating phone calls following her accusations of sexual misconduct against one of his players, creating controversy around his coaching career.
1984: ACC Tournament Championship
Driesell achieved a significant milestone in 1984 by leading the University of Maryland basketball team to their second ACC Tournament Championship.
December 1985: Contract Extension at Maryland
In December 1985, Driesell received a ten-year contract extension from the University of Maryland, highlighting his success and value to the program.
June 19, 1986: Len Bias Death and Aftermath
On June 19, 1986, University of Maryland basketball star Len Bias, who had just been drafted by the Boston Celtics, tragically died from a cocaine overdose. The incident sparked controversy and scrutiny, with investigations revealing academic shortcomings and allegations against Driesell for allegedly instructing others to remove drugs from the scene.
1986: Lefty Driesell Concludes Time at Maryland
In 1986, Lefty Driesell finished his 17-year tenure as the head coach of the Maryland Terrapins.
1986: Len Bias Drafted into the NBA
In 1986, Len Bias, a star player coached by Lefty Driesell at the University of Maryland, was selected as the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft, showcasing Driesell's ability to develop top-tier talent.
1988: Coaching at James Madison University
Driesell began his coaching tenure at James Madison University in 1988, marking a new chapter in his career.
1990: Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year
Driesell's success continued at James Madison University, where he was recognized as the Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 1990.
1992: Second Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year Award
Driesell's impact at James Madison was recognized again in 1992 when he received his second Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year award.
1994: NCAA Tournament Appearance with James Madison
Driesell guided James Madison University to an appearance in the NCAA tournament in 1994, showcasing his ability to rebuild and lead programs to success.
1995: Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Induction
In 1995, Driesell's impact on basketball in Virginia was acknowledged with his induction into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
1996: Departure from James Madison
In 1996, Driesell concluded his coaching stint at James Madison University, leaving behind a legacy of success.
2001: Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year
Driesell's coaching accolades extended to a fourth different conference when he was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year in 2001 while at Georgia State University.
2002: University of Maryland Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
Driesell's contributions to the University of Maryland were formally recognized with his induction into the university's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.
January 3, 2003: Retirement from Coaching
On January 3, 2003, Driesell announced his retirement from coaching after a long and illustrious career, concluding his time as one of the most successful coaches in NCAA Division I history.
2003: Lefty Driesell Retires from Coaching
In 2003, Lefty Driesell retired from coaching. At the time, he held the record for fourth-most wins among NCAA Division I men's basketball coaches, solidifying his place in the sport's history.
2003: Georgia State University Court Dedication
In 2003, Georgia State University honored Driesell by dedicating their basketball court in his name, recognizing his contributions to the program.
2003: Retirement to Virginia Beach
After retiring from coaching, Driesell settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia in 2003.
2006: Son Chuck Joins Maryland Coaching Staff
Driesell's son, Chuck, joined the University of Maryland's basketball coaching staff under Gary Williams in 2006, continuing the family's legacy in basketball.
April 2, 2007: National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
Driesell's lasting impact on college basketball was cemented on April 2, 2007, when he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
August 13, 2008: Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame Induction
Driesell was recognized for his contributions to sports in southeastern Virginia with his induction into the inaugural class of the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame on August 13, 2008.
April 2, 2010: Establishment of the Lefty Driesell Award
On April 2, 2010, the inaugural Lefty Driesell Award was presented. This annual award recognizes the best defensive player in NCAA Division I basketball, serving as a lasting tribute to Driesell's emphasis on defense.
2010: Chuck Driesell's Coaching Career
Chuck Driesell, Lefty's son, served as the head basketball coach at The Citadel from 2010 to 2015, following in his father's footsteps.
May 25, 2011: Southern Conference Hall of Fame Induction
On May 25, 2011, Driesell's legacy in the Southern Conference was further solidified with his induction into its Hall of Fame.
2015: Chuck Driesell Coaches at Maret School
In 2015, Chuck Driesell, Lefty's son, became the head basketball coach at the Maret School in Washington, D.C., continuing his coaching journey.
February 2017: University of Maryland Banner Ceremony
The University of Maryland further honored Driesell in February 2017 by hanging a banner in the Xfinity Center, commemorating his successful tenure with the program and recognizing his impact on Maryland basketball.
September 7, 2018: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
Driesell's remarkable career culminated in his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 7, 2018, solidifying his place among the sport's all-time greats.
2021: Death of Wife Joyce
In 2021, Driesell experienced the loss of his wife, Joyce, marking a poignant moment in his life.
February 17, 2024: Death of Lefty Driesell
Lefty Driesell passed away on February 17, 2024. He left behind a legacy as a highly successful college basketball coach.