Red Holzman

William 'Red' Holzman ( born August 10, 1920 in New York City; † November 13, 1998 in New Hyde Park, New York) was an American basketball coach. He is known primarily for his time as coach of the New York Knicks, which he led to two NBA championships.

After his college years at CCNY, where he graduated in 1942 made ​​, and a three-year service in the U.S. Navy Holzman became a professional basketball player. After nine years, eight of them at the Rochester Royals and one with the Milwaukee Hawks, he ended his active career. From 1953 to 1957 he was coach of the Hawks in the first year even as player-coach. Between 1957 and 1967, Holzman was assistant coach with the Knicks, under different head coaches.

Middle of the season 67/68 he finally took over the head coaching job of the Knicks. Already in the following year, the Knicks were on the most successful year in the club's history, and one year ( 1970), later followed by the first title. Holzman formed while a team to Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere and Bill Bradley, which is now considered among the best of all time. After a final defeat in 1972 and strengthening the team by Earl Monroe and Jerry Lucas succeeded the Knicks in 1973, another title.

Holzman remained until 1982 coach of the Knicks. He finished his career with a record of 696 wins to 604 losses. On May 6, 1986, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Sports journalists voted him the coach of the decade ( 70 ). Phil Jackson, in the seventies players under Holzman at the Knicks, thinks he's the greatest coach of all time.

Red Holzman died at 78 years after he was diagnosed with leukemia in New Hyde Park, New York.