| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1927-12-05)December 5, 1927 Dunkirk, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 7, 2015(2015-07-07) (aged 87) Williamsville, New York, U.S. |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Baseball | |
| 1954–1959 | Canisius |
| Basketball | |
| 1959–1972 | Canisius |
| 1972–1974 | Buffalo Braves (assistant) |
| 1974–1975 | Spirits of St. Louis |
| 1977 | Buffalo Braves |
| 1977–1978 | Buffalo Braves (assistant) |
| 1978–1979 | Boston Celtics (assistant) |
| 1979–1981 | New Jersey Nets (assistant) |
| 1980–1981 | New Jersey Nets |
| 1985–1987 | New Jersey Nets (assistant) |
| 1987–1988 | New Jersey Nets |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1959–1972 | Canisius |
| 1975–1977 | Buffalo Braves (GM) |
| 1981–1983 | New Jersey Nets (GM) |
| 1986–1987 | New Jersey Nets (GM) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (1995) | |
Robert MacKinnon (December 5, 1927 – July 7, 2015) was an American college and professionalbasketball coach. He coached three different professional teams in his career; theAmerican Basketball Association'sSpirits of St. Louis, and theNBA'sBuffalo Braves andNew Jersey Nets. MacKinnon also served as the Nets' general manager.
MacKinnon was a three-sport athlete atMcKinley Vocational High School inBuffalo, New York. He was an All-High choice in basketball in 1944, 1945, and 1946, and established a Yale Cup scoring record while pacing the Macks to the City Championship as a junior and senior. Bob excelled in football as well, as an All-High halfback and member of three City Championship teams. He won All-High honors in baseball while leading the Macks to the 1946 City Championship.[1]
Although MacKinnon played baseball atCanisius College and captained the 1950 squad, his greatest success as a college athlete came in basketball. His honors included selection to the All-Western New York team in 1948–1950, to the All-Auditorium team in 1949–1950, and as a Sporting News Second-Team All American in 1950. In perhaps his greatest moment of individual distinction, MacKinnon edged outCollege of the Holy Cross'sBob Cousy as MVP of the Jesuit Game in 1949. MacKinnon is considered one of the most superb defenders and playmakers in Golden Griffin history. Following graduation, baseball beckoned, and MacKinnon signed with theBrooklyn Dodgers organization. However, a steady diet of cheap motels and long bus trips as a minor-leaguer led him back to his first passion, basketball.
Following a season as a player for theSyracuse Nationals of theNational Basketball Association, MacKinnon returned to Buffalo to coach basketball atCanisius High School. He compiled a record of 36–2 over two seasons and was appointed coach of the Canisius College freshman squad. In 1959, MacKinnon was named head basketball coach and athletic director at Canisius College. At the time, he was the youngest coach in theNCAA. The program reached its peak a mere four years later, as the Golden Griffins posted a 19–7 record and made an appearance in the NIT Finals that earned MacKinnon Eastern Coach of the Year honors. He coached the Griffs for 13 seasons; during his tenure, his capabilities were recognized by his fellow coaches as they selected him to theNational Invitation Tournament Selection Committee, the NCAA All-American Selection Committee, and the NCAA Rules Committee.
MacKinnon left Canisius in 1972, signing on with the Buffalo Braves as assistant coach and scout. Within three seasons, the Braves were a National Basketball Association power. He also coached during 1974–75 in theAmerican Basketball Association, leading the Spirits of St. Louis to a stunning upset of the defending champion New York Nets in the semifinals of the1975 ABA Playoffs. His achievements in professional basketball were a fitting culmination to a career spent in service to the sport. He was recognized for his prowess as an athlete and coach by his induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.[1]
MacKinnon has been married since 1955 to the former Norma Marie Fell. They have four daughters and one son. His son,Bob MacKinnon Jr., has coached in theNBA Development League with theColorado 14ers,Idaho Stampede, andLos Angeles D-Fenders.[2]
MacKinnon died inWilliamsville, New York on July 7, 2015, at the age of 87.[3][4]
| 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 % |
| Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 1976–77 | 7 | 3 | 4 | .429 | 4th in Atlantic | — | — | — | — | Missed Playoffs |
| New Jersey | 1980–81 | 47 | 12 | 35 | .255 | 5th in Atlantic | — | — | — | — | Missed Playoffs |
| New Jersey | 1987–88 | 39 | 10 | 29 | .256 | 5th in Atlantic | — | — | — | — | Missed Playoffs |
| Career | 93 | 25 | 68 | .269 | — | — | — | — |
| 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 % |
| Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 1974–75 | 84 | 32 | 52 | .381 | 3rd in Eastern | 10 | 5 | 5 | .500 | Lost inDivision finals |
| Career | 84 | 32 | 52 | .381 | 10 | 5 | 5 | .500 |