Philip Sachs
American basketball coach (1902–1973)
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Philip "Cincy" Sachs (April 1, 1902 – December 19, 1973)[1][2] was an American basketball interim head coach for the Detroit Falcons, a Basketball Association of America team, in 1946–47.[3] After taking over the team from Glenn M. Curtis, Sachs posted an 8–18 win-loss record while in charge of the Falcons.[3] Prior to coaching in the BAA, he had spent time coaching the Detroit Gems before they entered the National Basketball League.[4]
Pictured in the January 1982 edition of Michigan Jewish History journal | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 1, 1902 |
| Died | December 19, 1973 (aged 71) |
| Nationality | American |
| Career history | |
Coaching | |
| 1936–1940 | Lawrence Tech |
| 194?–1946 | Detroit Gems |
| 1946–1947 | Detroit Falcons |
| Career highlights | |
As coach:
| |
Sachs was born in Russia and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, around 1904.[2] His interest in basketball grew as a child, and in August 1917 his family moved to Detroit, Michigan.[2] In 1919 he began his head coaching career; his first-ever team went 30–1 and lost in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship game.[2] Between 1936 and 1940, Sachs coached the Lawrence Institute of Technology team.[2] In his first season they placed second in the Michigan–Ontario League, and in his second year they tied for first place.[2] His overall record at Lawrence Tech was 56–28.[2]
In Sachs' post-BAA years, he started a boys' basketball school, promoted tournaments, and worked full-time at the Griswold Sporting Goods Company.[2] He also coached the teams who the Harlem Globetrotters would play against, even winning some on occasion.[2] His cumulative overall head coaching record (including high school, AAU, semi-professional, and professional) was 782–158, a winning percentage of .832.[2] He died in Detroit on December 19, 1973, never having married.[2]
Head coaching record
Professional
| Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
| Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |