Lefty Driesell Bio, Age, Height, Career, Wife, Children, Net Worth – In this piece, you will get to know all about Lefty Driesell.
But then who is Lefty Driesell? Charles Grice Driesell, also known as “Lefty,” served as a college basketball coach in the United States. He achieved the milestone of winning over 100 games at four distinct NCAA Division I institutions, namely Davidson College, the University of Maryland, James Madison University, and Georgia State University, making him a trailblazer in this accomplishment.
A lot of people have been inquiring lot about Lefty Driesell and doing various research about him on the internet.
This article talks about Lefty Driesell and everything there is to know about him.
Summary of Lefty Driesell
Full Name: Charles Grice “Lefty” Driesell
Age: 92
Born: December 25, 1931
Died: February 17, 2024
Height: 1.98m
Father: Frank Driesell
Wife: Joyce Driesell
Children: 4
Net Worth: $1-$6 million
Biography of Lefty Driesell
Charles Grice “Lefty” Driesell, born on December 25, 1931, in Norfolk, Virginia, emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of American college basketball. Driesell’s journey through the sport, marked by both triumphs and challenges, left an indelible mark on the history of the game.
Raised in Norfolk, Driesell’s basketball prowess became evident during his high school years at Granby High School. His left-handed playing style earned him the nickname “Lefty,” a moniker that would become synonymous with his legacy. Driesell’s stellar performance on the court, including leading Granby to the Virginia State Basketball Championship, foreshadowed his future impact on the sport.
Driesell’s collegiate journey commenced at Duke University, where he played center for the basketball team under coach Harold Bradley. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1954, Driesell embarked on a multifaceted career that intertwined playing, coaching, and administrative roles.
After a brief stint with the Ford Motor Company, Driesell rekindled his playing career in the Virginia semi-pro ranks, showcasing his scoring prowess. Simultaneously, he ventured into coaching, initially accepting a junior varsity position for both football and basketball at his high school alma mater. Driesell’s coaching acumen quickly shone through as he produced unbeaten football teams and a city basketball champion in his first two years.
In 1957, Driesell ascended to the varsity basketball coaching role at Granby, achieving a remarkable 97–15 combined varsity record between Granby and Newport News High School. His coaching prowess caught the attention of Davidson College, where he assumed the head coaching position from 1960 to 1969. At Davidson, Driesell’s teams clinched three Southern Conference tournaments and five regular-season championships, solidifying his reputation as an excellent recruiter.
The pinnacle of Driesell’s coaching career came when he took the reins at the University of Maryland in 1969. At his introductory press conference, he boldly proclaimed Maryland’s potential to become the “UCLA of the East Coast.” While falling short of that ambitious goal, Driesell guided the Terrapins to eight NCAA tournament appearances, an NIT championship, and multiple ACC regular-season and tournament titles. The 1972 season saw Maryland secure the NIT championship, achieving the goals Driesell had set for the program.
Driesell’s impact extended beyond the basketball court in 1973 when he heroically rescued children from a burning building in Bethany Beach, Delaware. For this act of valor, he was awarded the NCAA Award of Valor.
Despite facing challenges and criticism, such as the controversy surrounding Len Bias’ death and subsequent allegations, Driesell continued to shape the basketball landscape. He led the Maryland Terrapins to the ACC Tournament Championship in 1984 before resigning in 1986 amid turmoil.
Driesell’s coaching journey continued at James Madison University from 1988 to 1996 and later at Georgia State, where he secured multiple conference championships. In 2003, he retired as the only basketball coach to win at least 100 games at four different colleges.
Recognized for his coaching achievements, Driesell received numerous awards, including conference Coach of the Year honors at each coaching destination. His impact reverberated through the basketball community, leading to inductions into the Basketball Hall of Fame, the College Basketball Hall of Fame, and various sports halls of fame.
Charles Grice “Lefty” Driesell passed away on February 17, 2024, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazer in college basketball coaching and a figure revered for his contributions both on and off the court.
Lefty Driesell Age
How old was Lefty Driesell? Lefty Driesell was 92 years old at the time of his demise. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
Lefty Driesell Height
How tall was Lefty Driesell? Lefty Driesell had a height of 1.98m.
Lefty Driesell Parents
Who are the parents of Lefty Driesell? Lefty Driesell was born to Frank Driesell. Frank Driesell was a jeweler who emigrated from Germany.
Lefty Driesell Wife
Was Lefty Driesell married? Yes, Lefty Driesell was married to Joyce. They had met in the ninth and eighth grades respectively. Joyce passed away in 2021.
Lefty Driesell Siblings
There is no information about the siblings of Lefty Driesell.
Lefty Driesell Children
Did Lefty Driesell have any children? Yes, Lefty Driesell had four children. Chuck, one of his children was hired as an assistant on the Maryland coaching staff under Gary Williams in 2006. He also served as the head basketball coach at the Citadel. Pam, one of his three daughters is a pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
Lefty Driesell Net Worth
Lefty Driesell has an estimated net worth of between $1 million to $6 million.
Source: Ghgossip.com
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