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Gerry Friel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gerry Friel
Biographical details
Born(1943-07-08)July 8, 1943
Utica, New York, U.S.
DiedAugust 20, 2007(2007-08-20) (aged 64)
Durham, New Hampshire, U.S.
Alma materOswego State
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1965–1966Fulton HS
1966–1969Boston College (assistant)
1969–1989New Hampshire
Head coaching record
Overall189–335 (.361)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
ECAC North Coach of the Year (1983)

Gerard Friel (July 8, 1943 – August 20, 2007) was a college basketball coach, known for his 20-year tenure at New Hampshire where he is the school's all-time winningest coach.[1][2]

After graduating from Oswego State in 1965, Friel began his coaching career in upstate New York at Fulton High School for a season, until he joined Bob Cousy's staff as an assistant coach at Boston College. During his time with the Eagles, the team advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 1967 and 1968, along with the NIT championship game in 1969.

Friel was named the head coach of New Hampshire in 1969, and coached for 20 years until his retirement in 1989. During the 1973-74 and 1982-83 season, Friel guided the Wildcats to a 16 wins, which was the most wins in school history until the 2013-14 season. For his coaching efforts during the 1982-83 season, UNH shared the ECAC North regular season title, and Friel was named ECAC North Coach of the Year, along with the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-District Coach of the Year.

After his retirement from coaching, Friel embarked on an administrative career in the UNH athletic department as both Director of University Athletic Relations, and Director of Athletic Fundraising, along with serving as Vice President of the UNH Foundation.

Friel died on August 20, 2007, after a long battle with illness.

Head coaching record

[edit]
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
New Hampshire Wildcats (Yankee Conference/Independent/America East Conference) (1969–1989)
1969–70 New Hampshire 12–11 3–7 T–4th
1970–71 New Hampshire 11–12 3–7 T–4th
1971–72 New Hampshire 14–9 5–5 T–4th
1972–73 New Hampshire 11–15 2–10 T–6th
1973–74 New Hampshire 16–9 8–4 3rd
1974–75 New Hampshire 6–18 2–10 6th
1975–76 New Hampshire 8–18 3–9 6th
1976–77 New Hampshire 12–14 N/A N/A
1977–78 New Hampshire 7–19 N/A N/A
1978–79 New Hampshire 10–16 N/A N/A
1979–80 New Hampshire 4–22 0–11 10th
1980–81 New Hampshire 7–19 3–7 9th
1981–82 New Hampshire 9–18 2–9 9th
1982–83 New Hampshire 16–12 8–2 2nd
1983–84 New Hampshire 15–13 8–6 4th
1984–85 New Hampshire 7–22 4–12 8th
1985–86 New Hampshire 11–17 5–13 7th
1986–87 New Hampshire 4–24 3–15 9th
1987–88 New Hampshire 4–25 3–15 8th
1988–89 New Hampshire 4–22 3–14 10th
New Hampshire: 188–335 (.359) 65–156 (.202)
Total: 188–335 (.359)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "UNH Legendary Men's Basketball Coach Gerry Friel Passes Away".
  2. ^ "Gerard Friel Obituary - Legacy.com".