Bob Ferry
Baltimore Bullets Assistant Coach | 1971 NBA Finalist | 1978 NBA Champion as General Manager
Bob Ferry was born on May 31, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri. He played at Saint Louis University and went on to a 10-season NBA playing career, including five seasons with the Baltimore Bullets.
After retiring as a player, Ferry joined the Baltimore coaching staff as an assistant. His documented NBA assistant-coaching tenure lasted from the 1969-1970 season through 1972-1973.
The Bullets reached the NBA Finals in 1971 under head coach Gene Shue while Ferry served on the coaching staff. Ferry later became the franchise general manager in 1973 and oversaw the organization during its 1978 championship season.
Ferry never served as an NBA head coach and has no NBA head-coaching win-loss record. He was twice named NBA Executive of the Year and passed away on October 27, 2021, at the age of 84.
- Overall Coaching Record: Assistant coach only — no NBA head-coaching record
Coaching Career
Ferry joined the Bullets as an assistant after ending his playing career. Basketball-Reference lists him in that role for four straight seasons, from 1969-1970 to 1972-1973.
Working on Gene Shue's staff, Ferry helped the team through the 1970-1971 season, when Baltimore won the Eastern Conference and reached the NBA Finals. The Bullets lost the championship series to the Milwaukee Bucks.
His coaching tenure ended as he moved into the Bullets front office in 1973. The subsequent 1978 NBA championship was won during his executive career, not his assistant-coaching tenure.
Notable Players Coached
- Wes Unseld
- 1969 NBA MVP; Hall of Fame center
- Earl Monroe
- Hall of Fame guard and NBA champion
- Gus Johnson
- Hall of Fame forward
- Elvin Hayes
- Hall of Fame forward; joined Baltimore in 1972