Alvin “Doggie” Julian
Boston Celtics Head Coach | 1947 NCAA Champion | Hall of Fame Coach
Alvin “Doggie” Julian was born on April 5, 1901, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Before joining the professional ranks, Julian built a successful college coaching career and led the Holy Cross Crusaders to the 1947 NCAA championship.
Julian was hired as head coach of the Boston Celtics in 1948. He coached the Celtics for 2 BAA/NBA seasons before returning to college basketball.
Julian was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 1968.
Coach Julian passed away on July 28, 1967, at the age of 66.
- Overall Coaching Record: 47-81
Coaching Career
Doggie Julian was hired as head coach of the Boston Celtics on April 12, 1948, replacing John Russell.
In his first season, the Celtics went 25-35 and finished fifth in the BAA Eastern Division, missing the playoffs.
Boston went 22-46 during the 1949-1950 season and again missed the playoffs. Julian resigned as head coach on March 22, 1950, finishing his BAA/NBA coaching career with a 47-81 record. Red Auerbach became the Celtics head coach the following season.
Notable Players Coached
- George Kaftan
- 1947 NCAA champion
- 1947 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
- 2× Consensus Second-Team All-American
- Tony Lavelli
- 1949 Consensus First-Team All-American
- 1949 national player of the year honors
- Joe Mullaney
- 1947 NCAA champion as a player
- Future NBA and ABA head coach
- 1974 ABA Coach of the Year