Terry Dischinger
Detroit Pistons Interim Head Coach | NBA Rookie of the Year as Player
Terry Gilbert Dischinger was born on November 21, 1940, in Terre Haute, Indiana. A three-time All-American at Purdue, he entered the NBA in 1962 and earned Rookie of the Year honors with the Chicago Zephyrs.
While playing for Detroit, Dischinger briefly assumed interim head-coaching duties after Butch van Breda Kolff’s resignation early in the 1971–72 season. He led the Pistons for two games, both losses.
The assignment lasted only until Earl Lloyd took over. Dischinger’s NBA coaching record is 0–2; his subsequent playing time with Portland is unrelated to his coaching record. He passed away on October 10, 2023.
- Overall NBA Head-Coaching Record: 0–2
Coaching Career
Butch van Breda Kolff resigned after the Pistons’ 6–4 opening. Dischinger was appointed on November 1, 1971, and acted as the team’s interim coach for two games.
Detroit lost both games under Dischinger before appointing Earl Lloyd as permanent head coach.
Notable Players Coached
- Dave Bing
- Hall of Fame guard and Detroit scoring leader
- Bob Lanier
- Hall of Fame center and longtime Detroit cornerstone