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Behind the CoachingHonoring the Impact of Sports Coaching
Coach Profile

George Mikan

George Mikan

Minneapolis Lakers Head Coach | 5× NBA Champion | Basketball Hall of Fame

George Mikan was born on June 18, 1924, in Joliet, Illinois. He played college basketball at DePaul University before becoming one of the first dominant stars in professional basketball.

Mikan won 5 BAA/NBA championships with the Minneapolis Lakers and was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. After his playing career, he returned to the Lakers organization and became the team’s head coach during the 1957-1958 NBA season.

Mikan coached 39 games and finished with a 9-30 record before John Kundla returned as head coach.

Coach Mikan passed away on June 1, 2005, at the age of 80.

  • Overall Coaching Record: 9-30

Coaching Career

George Mikan returned to the Minneapolis Lakers as head coach for the 1957-1958 NBA season after previously becoming the franchise’s biggest star during his playing career.

The Lakers went 9-30 under Mikan before he was replaced in January 1958. John Kundla returned to the team and coached the final 33 games of the season.

Minneapolis finished with a 19-53 record and missed the playoffs. The season became Mikan’s only NBA head coaching stint.

Mikan remained one of the most important figures in the history of the Lakers and professional basketball because of his playing career and later work as an executive.

Notable Players Coached