Kansas basketball: Ranking the top coaches in program history
No. 7: Dick Harp (1956–1964)
Assistant coach Dick Harp took over for Phog Allen in 1956 and had modest success with the Jayhawks. Harp also played basketball at Kansas under Allen, starting for the Jayhawks in the 1940 national championship. Some of Harp’s accolades include:
- 121–82 record
- 1-time national championship runner-up
- 1 Final Four
- 2 Conference championships
Dick Harp’s time as Kansas basketball’s head coach was highlighted by the 1957 national championship game in his first season. The Jayhawks were defeated in triple-overtime by the North Carolina Tar Heels 54-53. Wilt Chamberlain was named Most Outstanding Player despite his team losing.
Harp was successful at Kansas, just not as successful as many of the other legends that have coached the Jayhawks. Despite being seventh on the list, Harp is still one of the best coaches in college hoops history.
Harp would go on to coach multiple future coaches including Dean Smith. Interestingly, Harp was an assistant coach for Smith for three years in the late 80s, and Smith called him “one of the most brilliant basketball minds I have ever known.”
After his head coaching days ended, Harp worked as the director Fellowship of Christian Athletes.