Press

"McKillop Passes Lefty Driesell as Davidson's Most Winningest Coach" - Lake Norman Times, 2001

"Energy Surge: McKillop fuels Davidson revival" - Charlotte Observer

"1960s Basketball a School Success Story: Driesell's Squads earned National Attention" - Davidsonian, 1997

Timeline of Davidson Basketball Coaches

Bob McKillop
Current Head Coach

Bob McKillop first arrived at Davidson in 1978. He was an assistant for one season under Eddie Biedenbach before leaving to become one of the most successful coaches in the talent-rich New York high school basketball ranks. But his one year at the small Division I college left a lasting impression. And some 10 years later, when the Wildcats needed a new coach, McKillop re-surfaced in a development that has helped Davidson resurrect some of its past roundball glory. In his 11 seasons at the Wildcat helm, all of but one of his players have graduated, and they've become active student-athletes on campus and role models in the community's elementary and middle schools.

Charles G. "Lefty"Driesell
Head Coach, 1962-1969
Driesell is generally credited with putting Davidson on the national basketball map and recognized as the most successful basketball coach in school history. In nine seasons, he guided the Wildcats to a 176-64 record. In that span, the Wildcats were ranked nationally among the top ten four times. His 1966, 1968, and 1969 teams won the Southern Conference Tournament and went to the NCAA playoffs. In 1968 and 1969 they came within two and four points, respectively, of reaching the Final Four. Driesell was Southern Conference Coach of the Year in 1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966. Several of his recruits - Fred Hetzel and Dick Snyder - were first team All-Americans, and both enjoyed successful careers in the National Basketball Assocation. His 1964 team won 23 straight games to set school and Southern Conference records that still stand. The 1969 team ranked as high as second nationally and set a school record with 27 wins.

Press

"McKillop Passes Lefty Driesell as Davidson's Most Winningest Coach" - Lake Norman Times, 2001 - by Tim Helfrich
(Partial Typescript of article)

It took the Cats' five tries, but on Saturday night against VMI the squad finally recorded the victory that secured Coach Bob McKillop as the winningest coach in Davidson basketball history with 177.  He passes Lefty Driesell, basketball legend, and joins and joins an elite group of college coaches still active today.  The 68-60 win followed a four-game losing streak, the team's worst in eight years.

In his 12 season as head coach, effort has been the word that defines both McKillop and his players.  Having to work within a highly competitive academic environment, the players have concerns that most of their competitors do not have.  McKillop's impressive career records to 177-155 - this despite a 4-24 finish when McKillop first took over the reins in 1989. During his tenure, however, he has brought the caliber of Davidson basketball back to where it belongs.  The 1997-98 team's conference tournament victory won them a berth in the NCAA tournament, one of only six teams in school history to achieve such a goal.

"Energy Surge: McKillop fuels Davidson revival" - Charlotte Observer, 1996 - by Chris Hobbs
(Partial Typescript of article)

His energy never stops burning, which is how Bob McKillop and his Davidson basketball team came to where they are today.  

The Wildcats having spent their games mostly dominating opponents this season, but their coach never sits.  McKillop shuns his seat on the bench, getting as close to the court as he can, yelling to his players.  Always moving, McKillop prods, pushes and demands.  He nearly wills his team to get the ball.

McKillop asks for three things which are posted on sign outside the Davidson locker room.  The players tap the sign, bright red with white letters, as they go out to play.  Its message - McKillop's message - is clear: Davidson Basketball Code of Honor.  Trust.  Care. Commitment.

"1960s Basketball a School Success Story: Driesell's Squads earned National Attention" - Davidsonian, 1997 -  by Laura Craver
(Partial Typescript of article)

Watching Davidson's impressive start on its 89th basketball season has caused many to conjure up the warm memories of another time, a time some refer to as the "Golden Age" of Davidson basketball.  

These were the Lefty Driesell years and the time when a controversial coach succeeded in transforming a weak team of "preministerials into a strong team of aspiring All-Americans."

And one cannot forget the manpower behind the movement, the players who carried basketball to this "sleepy little town" on their shoulders.  The seasons of 1962-1969 brought Davidson what it had only dreamed of: Southern Conference regular season championships, Southern Conference tournament titles, national rankings, NCAA tournament wins, spots in the Elite Eight, and most importantly, the emergence of Davidson basketball as a force to be reckoned with.