- LaDell Andersen
LaDell Andersen is a former professional and collegiate basketball coach.
Career
Andersen attended
Utah State University , where he became a member of theSigma Chi Fraternity. He was an All-Skyline Conference and an honorable mention All-American basketball player in 1951. He was also invited and competed in the 1952 United States Men’s Olympic Basketball team tryouts at New York City.Andersen was hired in 1956 as an assistant coach for legendary
University of Utah coach Jack Gardner. Andersen left the Utes in 1961 to become head coach of his alma mater.During his tenure as the Aggies head coach, Utah State made four appearances in the NCAA Basketball Tournament including a trip to the NCAA Final 8 in 1970 losing to eventual champion UCLA. Andersen also led them to two appearances in the
National Invitation Tournament . He complied a record of 176-96 (.647) at the school from 1961-1971. Former LSU coaching greatDale Brown served as an assistant coach during Andersen’s tenure. Andersen recommended Brown as his successor, but when USU officials rejected the idea, Brown went to Washington State for one season as an assistant before succeedingPress Maravich as LSU's coach.Andersen was also the head coach of the
American Basketball Association ’sUtah Stars for two seasons (1971-72 and 1972-73). Andersen had success with the team and led them to two Western Division regular season titles but both seasons were ended by theIndiana Pacers in the Western Division playoff finals. Andersen compiled a 115-43 (.684) regular season coaching record with the Stars. Despite his success with the Stars, Andersen resigned after his second season with the team.He returned to Utah State University and was appointed as the school's athletic director in 1973. Anderson held the post for ten years until he was lured back into coaching again in 1983 for
Brigham Young University .Andersen coached the Cougars for six years and compiled a 114-71 (.616) record. BYU made four post season appearances including three in the NCAA Basketball Tournament and one in the
National Invitation Tournament . He resigned as BYU head coach in 1989 and was replaced byRoger Reid .Andersen is still involved in basketball and is currently acting as a scout and consultant for the NBA’s
Utah Jazz organization, partly because of his connections with former Utah State player and longtime Jazz assistantPhil Johnson .Honors
*Member of the Utah Sports Hall of Fame
*Named one of the Top 100 Most Accomplished People in the State of Utah, 1888-1998.External links
* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/anderla99c.html Basketball Reference.com page]
* [http://www.remembertheaba.com/Utah-Stars.html Remember the ABA page]
* [http://www.byucougars.com/basketball_m/history/coaching.html BYU site]
* [http://www1.usu.edu/utahstatetoday/archives/march%202004/03-05-04/highlights-3-05-04.cfm Utah State site]
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