John Paul McKinney, better known as Jack McKinney, is primarily known for his successful career as a basketball coach, holding numerous positions at both the collegiate and professional levels.
His time as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1972–73 season was particularly notable. He revolutionized the game by introducing a fast-paced style of play, later known as “Show Time“ .
Unfortunately, his coaching tenure at the Lakers ended abruptly after just one season due to a bicycle accident.
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- Full name: John Paul McKinney
- Stage Name: Jack McKinney
- Date of birth: July 13, 1935
- Date of death: September 25, 2018 (aged 83)
- Place of birth: Chester, Pennsylvania
- Nationality: United States
- Occupation: Coach
- Height: 1.85m
- Parents: Paul McKinney and Jen McMahon
- Siblings: Richard, Mary Ann and Edgar
- Spouse: Claire
- Children: unknown
- Relationship: Single
- Net worth: unknown
Early life and education
Jack McKinney, a native of Chester, Pennsylvania, was born on July 13, 1935. His parents, Paul McKinney and Jen McMahon, played a major role in his upbringing.
While his mother took care of the family as a housewife, his father worked hard as a police detective.
Jack was fortunate to have three siblings who certainly brought joy and friendship to his childhood: Richard, Mary Ann, and Edgar.
Growing up in Chester gave Jack a sense of community and belonging. He pursued his education at St. James High School, where he had the opportunity to showcase his athletic abilities as a basketball player under the guidance of coach Jack Ramsay.
Career
As an assistant coach at USC, McKinney began his coaching journey working alongside the renowned Rod Dedeaux.
He then took over as head coach at Loyola Marymount University in 1965. During his tenure, he led the Lions to three NCAA Tournament appearances and won the West Coast Conference championship in 1968.
After joining the Portland Trail Blazers as an assistant coach in 1970, McKinney played a key role in winning the 1977 NBA championship.
He was then appointed head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. At that time, the Lakers faced many challenges, but McKinney quickly turned their record around by adopting a high-speed, offensive-focused style of play.
In addition, he also contributed significantly to the development of Magic Johnson, being honored with the Rookie of the Year award in 1980.
McKinney, who led the Lakers to the playoffs during his tenure as head coach, suffered an unfortunate incident in 1981: a bicycle accident that resulted in permanent brain damage.
Despite this setback, McKinney’s impact on basketball remains significant. Considered one of the most innovative coaches in history, his fast-paced style of play continues to influence teams today and is credited with revolutionizing the game.
Social media
Jack McKinney has no social media accounts.
Personal life
McKinney’s marriage to Claire, the exact date of their marriage, and possible separation remain unknown.
Furthermore, it remains unconfirmed whether McKinney has children with Claire or from previous relationships.
Net worth
Jack McKinney’s exact net worth is challenging as information about his finances is limited.
However, we can get some idea of his wealth by looking at his career trajectory and the average income of basketball coaches at the time.
