Harry Combes
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Harry Combes (March 3, 1915 – November 13, 1977), a native of Monticello, Illinois, served as head men's basketball coach at University of Illinois between 1947 and 1967.
A three-year letterwinner, Combes was also a star player for the Illini from 1935-1937 and helped lead Illinois to both its Big Ten titles in the 1930's.
Combes began coaching basketball at Champaign High School, where he posted an astounding 254-46 record, including winning the state title in 1946.
Once at Illinois he won three Big Ten titles in his first five seasons ('49, '51, and '52). Combes led Illinois to three third-place finishes in the NCAA Tournament in the four-year period from 1949-1952. The squad won 79 of the 100 games during those four years. Illinois' 1952 Final Four appearance was the first officially recognized Final Four and the only Final Four appearance Illinois made until 1989. Until Lou Henson broke the record in 1990, Combes' 316 wins were the most wins ever by an Illinois head basketball coach.[1]
Combes also served as boys baseball coach at Champaign High School, where he compiled an impressive 70-26-2 (.724) record over a five-year period (1937-1942).
[edit] Coaching record - Basketball
| School | Season | Record | Conference Record, Place | Postseason (Final AP Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign HS | 1938-9 | 18-9 | State Quarterfinals | |
| Champaign HS | 1939-40 | 26-8 | State Semifinals | |
| Champaign HS | 1940-1 | 26-3 | ||
| Champaign HS | 1941-2 | 22-7 | ||
| Champaign HS | 1942-3 | 25-6 | State Quarterfinals | |
| Champaign HS | 1943-4 | 31-6 | State Semifinals | |
| Champaign HS | 1944-5 | 34-2 | State Championship (Runner-up) | |
| Champaign HS | 1945-6 | 38-1 | State Championship | |
| Champaign HS | 1946-7 | 34-4 | State Championship (Runner-up) | |
| Illinois | 1947-8 | 15-5 | 7-5 | |
| Illinois | 1948-9 | 21-4 | 10-2, 1st | NCAA Playoff, 3rd |
| Illinois | 1949-50 | 14-8 | 7-5, T3rd | |
| Illinois | 1950-1 | 22-5 | 13-1, 1st | NCAA Playoff, 3rd (#5) |
| Illinois | 1951-2 | 22-4 | 12-2, 1st | NCAA Final Four, 3rd (#2) |
| Illinois | 1952-3 | 18-4 | 14-4, 2nd | (#13) |
| Illinois | 1953-4 | 17-5 | 10-4, T3rd | (#19) |
| Illinois | 1954-5 | 17-5 | 10-4, T2 | (#18) |
| Illinois | 1955-6 | 18-4 | 11-3, 2nd | (#7) |
| Illinois | 1956-7 | 14-8 | 7-7, 7th | |
| Illinois | 1957-8 | 11-11 | 5-9, T8th | |
| Illinois | 1958-9 | 12-10 | 7-7, T5 | |
| Illinois | 1959-60 | 16-7 | 8-6, T3 | |
| Illinois | 1960-1 | 9-15 | 5-9, 7th | |
| Illinois | 1961-2 | 15-8 | 7-7, T4 | |
| Illinois | 1962-3 | 20-6 | 11-3, 1st | NCAA Second Round, (#8) |
| Illinois | 1963-4 | 13-11 | 6-8, T6th | |
| Illinois | 1964-5 | 18-6 | 10-4, 3rd | |
| Illinois | 1965-66 | 12-12 | 8-6, T3rd | |
| Illinois | 1966-7 | 21-12 | 6-8 |
[edit] References
- ^ 2004-2005 University of Illinois Men's Basketball Program
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