Ed Jucker
Two-Time NCAA Champion | Cincinnati Royals Head Coach | College Basketball Coach
Ed Jucker was born on July 8, 1916, in Norwood, Ohio. He coached college basketball and baseball and became nationally known for his tenure at the University of Cincinnati.
Jucker led the Cincinnati Bearcats to back-to-back NCAA basketball championships in 1961 and 1962 and a third consecutive Final Four in 1963.
He entered the NBA in 1967 as head coach of the Cincinnati Royals. He coached two complete seasons, compiling an 80-84 regular-season record.
Jucker later returned to college athletics. He passed away on February 2, 2002, at the age of 85.
- Overall Coaching Record: 80-84
Coaching Career
The Royals hired Jucker as head coach on May 2, 1967, following his successful college coaching career in Cincinnati.
The team went 39-43 in 1967-1968 and 41-41 in 1968-1969. Cincinnati did not reach the NBA playoffs in either season.
Jucker worked with a roster anchored by Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas. The Royals dismissed him in May 1969 after two seasons, leaving his NBA record at 80-84.
Notable Players Coached
- Oscar Robertson
- Hall of Fame point guard; 1964 NBA MVP
- Jerry Lucas
- Hall of Fame forward; seven-time NBA All-Star
- Adrian Smith
- 1966 NBA All-Star Game MVP