Gene Tormohlen
Atlanta Hawks Interim Head Coach | Hawks and Bulls Assistant Coach | Former NBA Player
Gene Tormohlen was born on May 12, 1937, in Holland, Indiana. Known as "Bumper," he played college basketball at Tennessee and later appeared in the NBA as a player.
Tormohlen moved into coaching with the Atlanta Hawks during the late 1960s and returned for a second stint with Atlanta in the mid-1970s.
He took over as Atlanta's interim head coach at the end of the 1975-1976 season, finishing with a 1-7 record in eight games. He subsequently served several seasons as an assistant with the Chicago Bulls.
Tormohlen passed away on December 27, 2018, at the age of 81.
- Overall Coaching Record: 1-7
Coaching Career
Tormohlen worked as an Atlanta assistant during the 1968-1969 and 1969-1970 seasons, when Richie Guerin was head coach.
The Hawks reached the playoffs in both seasons and won the Western Division in 1969-1970.
Notable Players Coached
- Lou Hudson
- Six-time NBA All-Star
- Zelmo Beaty
- Two-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer
- Joe Caldwell
- Two-time NBA All-Star
Tormohlen returned to the Atlanta staff for the 1974-1975 and 1975-1976 seasons.
He remained on the staff during a difficult 1975-1976 campaign before taking temporary charge near the end of the season.
Notable Players Coached
- John Drew
- Two-time NBA All-Star
- Lou Hudson
- Six-time NBA All-Star
Atlanta named Tormohlen interim head coach on March 30, 1976, after dismissing Cotton Fitzsimmons.
Tormohlen went 1-7 over the Hawks' final eight games. Those are his only NBA head-coaching games.
Notable Players Coached
- John Drew
- Atlanta scoring leader and two-time NBA All-Star
- Lou Hudson
- Veteran All-Star forward
Tormohlen became a Bulls assistant for the 1976-1977, 1977-1978 and 1978-1979 seasons.
Chicago reached the playoffs in 1977 and was led by players including Artis Gilmore and, by 1978-1979, Reggie Theus.
Notable Players Coached
- Artis Gilmore
- Hall of Fame center
- Reggie Theus
- Two-time NBA All-Star
Tormohlen returned to Chicago's coaching staff for the 1981-1982 season.
This is the final NBA coaching season listed in his Basketball-Reference coaching record.
Notable Players Coached
- Artis Gilmore
- Hall of Fame center
- Reggie Theus
- Two-time NBA All-Star