GRAND OLD MEN
LIVING COACHING LEGENDS
The great Connie Mack owned the Philadelphia Athletics and was the team's manager for 50 years (1901-1950). He managed a record 7,755 games over that time span and, not surprisingly, is both the winningest and losingest manager in MLB history. He is also the only MLB manager ever to have won back-to-back World Series on two separate occasions.
Mack passed away in February 1956, more than 45 years after leading the Athletics to their first World Series title in 1910.
45 years. That is a long time to savor championship glory.
But believe it or not, there are 4 men alive today whose first major league pro sports coaching title came even longer before the present day.
Harry Sinden, now 93, led the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 1970, nearly 56 years ago. He has served as an integral member of the Bruins organization for 60 years.
Scotty Bowman, now 92, led the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup in 1973, nearly 53 years ago. He would go on to earn 8 more Stanley Cup rings as coach of the Canadiens, Penguins, and Red Wings, plus 5 additional rings as a front office manager for various NHL clubs.
Dick Motta, now 94, coached the Washington Bullets to the 1978 NBA title, nearly 48 years ago. Although Motta did not coin the expression "The opera ain't over 'til the fat lady sings," he certainly made it famous.
Paul Westhead, now 87, led the Los Angeles Lakers to the 1980 NBA title (over the 76ers, unfortunately), nearly 46 years ago. Paul's a Philly guy who coached at Cheltenham High School, St. Joseph's, and La Salle before heading to the Lakers.
Willie would be remiss not to mention John Kundla, who led the Lakers to their first NBA (then BAA) title in 1949. He lived 68 more years until his death in 2017 at the age of 101.
