Keogan, George E.
Basketball
b. March 8, 1890, Detroit Lakes, MN
d. Feb. 17, 1943
While Knute Rockne was coaching great football teams at Notre Dame, Keogan was quietly beginning to build a marvelous record as a basketball coach. A graduate of the University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry, he coached at high schools in Illinois and then at small colleges before arriving at Notre Dame in 1923.
Keogan is credited with inventing the shifting man to man defense, although he may have adapted it from the Original Celtics, since he was a student of the professional game. He taught a deliberate offense, using continual cuts and screens until a player had a clear path to the basket, or a clear shot at it.
His teams won mythical Helms Athletic Foundation championships in 1927 and 1936 and went through some remarkable stretches, winning 38 games out of 40 at one point and 42 of 47 at another. Keogan died of a heart attack during the 1942-43 season and was replaced by "Moose" Krause. His record at Notre Dame was 327 wins and 96 losses, a .773 percentage. Keogan's overall collegiate record was 385-117, and his percentage of .767 is seventh best of all time.