Howie Schultz
Anderson Packers Player-Coach | NBA Player & Coach | 1952 NBA Champion
Howie Schultz was born on July 3, 1922, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He played college basketball at Hamline University and later became a professional basketball player.
Schultz became player-coach of the Anderson Packers for the franchise’s first NBA season in 1949-1950. He coached 35 games and finished with a 21-14 record before leaving the team during the season.
Schultz continued his NBA playing career after leaving Anderson and later won the 1952 NBA championship with the Minneapolis Lakers.
Coach Schultz passed away on October 30, 2009, at the age of 87.
- Overall Coaching Record: 21-14
Coaching Career
Howie Schultz started the 1949-1950 season as player-coach of the Anderson Packers during the franchise’s only NBA season.
Schultz led the Packers to a 21-14 record over 35 games. He found the dual player-coach role difficult and left Anderson during the season after being traded to the Fort Wayne Pistons.
Ike Duffey briefly took over the team and went 1-2 before Doxie Moore became head coach. Anderson finished the regular season with a 37-27 record and later reached the NBA Semifinals under Moore.
Schultz’s 35-game stint became his only head coaching experience in the NBA.
Notable Players Coached
- Frankie Brian
- 2× NBA All-Star (1951, 1952)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (1950, 1951)
- Jack Smiley
- Future Waterloo Hawks player-coach