George Senesky
1956 NBA Champion Head Coach | Philadelphia Warriors Player & Coach | 1947 BAA Champion as Player
George Senesky was born on April 4, 1922, in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. He played college basketball at Saint Joseph’s University before spending his entire BAA/NBA playing career with the Philadelphia Warriors.
Senesky was a member of the Warriors team that won the first BAA championship in 1947. After his playing career ended, he returned to the franchise as head coach in 1955.
In his first season as head coach, Senesky led Philadelphia to the 1956 NBA championship. He coached the Warriors for 3 seasons and reached the playoffs every year.
Coach Senesky passed away on June 25, 2001, at the age of 79.
- Overall Coaching Record: 119-97
Coaching Career
George Senesky became head coach of the Philadelphia Warriors for the 1955-1956 NBA season, replacing longtime coach Eddie Gottlieb.
Philadelphia went 45-27 and finished first in the Eastern Division. The Warriors defeated the Syracuse Nationals in 5 games in the Eastern Division Finals before beating the Fort Wayne Pistons in 5 games to win the 1956 NBA championship.
The Warriors went 37-35 in 1956-1957 and were eliminated by Syracuse in the Eastern Division Semifinals.
Philadelphia finished 37-35 again in 1957-1958. The Warriors defeated Syracuse in the Division Semifinals before losing to the Boston Celtics in 5 games in the Eastern Division Finals.
Senesky finished his NBA head coaching career with a 119-97 regular-season record and a 10-10 playoff record.
Notable Players Coached
- Paul Arizin
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- 1956 NBA champion
- 10× NBA All-Star
- Neil Johnston
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- 1956 NBA champion
- 6× NBA All-Star
- Tom Gola
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- 1956 NBA champion
- 5× NBA All-Star