Jack Ramsay
1977 NBA Champion Coach | Hall of Fame Coach | 864 NBA Coaching Wins
John Travilla “Dr. Jack” Ramsay was born February 21, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A college coach and Philadelphia 76ers executive, he began NBA head coaching with the 76ers in 1968.
Ramsay subsequently led the Buffalo Braves, Portland Trail Blazers and Indiana Pacers. His signature triumph came with the 1976-77 Trail Blazers, who defeated Philadelphia for the franchise’s first NBA championship.
Over 21 NBA seasons, Ramsay compiled an 864-783 regular-season record in 1,647 games. Respected for passing, teamwork and player development, he entered the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 1992.
Ramsay died on April 28, 2014, at the age of 89.
- Overall Coaching Record: 864-783
Coaching Career
Ramsay assumed Philadelphia’s head-coaching job in 1968 after working in the franchise’s front office. His first 76ers team went 55-27 with Wilt Chamberlain having departed for Los Angeles.
Philadelphia made the playoffs in each of Ramsay’s first three seasons, winning 55, 42 and 47 games. The roster gradually changed after the late-1960s championship era.
The 76ers declined to 30-52 in 1971-72. Ramsay finished his four-year Philadelphia tenure with a 174-154 record.
Notable Players Coached
- Billy Cunningham
- Hall of Fame forward and 1973 NBA MVP
- Hal Greer
- Hall of Fame guard and ten-time All-Star
- Chet Walker
- Hall of Fame seven-time All-Star forward
Ramsay took charge of Buffalo in 1972-73, coaching an expansion-era franchise that had yet to achieve sustained success.
He helped develop Bob McAdoo, who won NBA MVP in 1974-75, and guided the Braves to three consecutive playoff appearances from 1974 through 1976.
Despite a 158-170 record across four seasons, Buffalo became a legitimate Eastern Conference threat under Ramsay before he moved to Portland.
Notable Players Coached
- Bob McAdoo
- Hall of Fame center and 1975 NBA MVP
- Randy Smith
- Two-time All-Star scoring guard
- Ernie DiGregorio
- 1974 NBA Rookie of the Year and assists leader
Ramsay arrived in Portland in 1976 and immediately fashioned a cohesive team around Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas and a strong supporting cast.
The 1976-77 Trail Blazers finished 49-33, swept the Lakers in the Western Conference finals and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games to win the NBA championship.
Portland began 1977-78 with a 50-10 record before Walton’s injuries undercut another title run. Ramsay remained for ten seasons, also developing later stars such as Jim Paxson and Clyde Drexler.
His Portland record was 453-367, including the franchise’s first championship and years of competitive teams despite significant roster turnover.
Notable Players Coached
- Bill Walton
- Hall of Fame center and 1977 NBA Finals MVP
- Maurice Lucas
- Four-time NBA All-Star and 1977 champion
- Lionel Hollins
- 1978 NBA All-Star and key championship guard
- Clyde Drexler
- Hall of Fame guard who began in Portland under Ramsay
Ramsay’s final NBA head-coaching assignment was with Indiana, starting in 1986-87.
The Pacers went 41-41 and reached the playoffs in his first year, then finished 38-44 in 1987-88. Indiana lost its opening seven games of 1988-89 before Ramsay departed.
He concluded his NBA head-coaching career with 864 victories and 783 losses.
Notable Players Coached
- Chuck Person
- 1987 NBA Rookie of the Year
- Vern Fleming
- Longtime Indiana point guard
- Rik Smits
- 1988 first-round selection who debuted near the end of Ramsay’s tenure
