Herb Magee, commonly referred to as the Shot Doctor, is an NCAA Division IImen's college basketball coach at Thomas Jefferson University. The school was established in its current form when Philadelphia University, Magee's alma mater, merged with the original Thomas Jefferson University in 2017. The former Philadelphia University was known as Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science and athletically branded as "Philadelphia Textile" when Magee first became head coach in 1967, becoming Philadelphia University in 1999. He is entering his 52nd year as head coach, and his 60th year as either a player or coach at the school. In 2015, he achieved his 1,000th win as a head coach, becoming one of only four college coaches to achieve that milestone. On August 12, 2011, Magee was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Career
Playing
Magee, an Irish American played his high school basketball at Philadelphia's famed West Catholic High, where his teammates included former Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach Jim Lynam and former St. Joseph's coach Jim Boyle. As a five-foot-ten inch, 150-pound player for the Philadelphia Rams, he scored 2,235 points, leading his team to 75 victories. Magee was a two-time All-American and drafted by the Boston Celtics. However, he broke his fingers before training camp, and opted instead to return to his alma mater as an assistant coach under Buckey Harris. When Harris retired in 1967, Magee became head coach at the age of 25. He has spent his entire adult life at the East Falls school as either a player, assistant coach or head coach.
Accomplishments
His exploits as a coach have not gone unnoticed, as his list of awards and achievements can attest. The Kodak District Coach of the Year in 1993, Magee was also tabbed New York Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year that season and again in 1994. In addition, he has been honored as regional Coach of the Year four times, national Coach of the Year twice, and Co-Coach of the Year in the Mideast Collegiate Conference twice. He was also inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. He led the Rams to the College Division National Championship in 1970. Coach Magee was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Philadelphia University and West Catholic High SchoolHalls of Fame, and honored by numerous organizations throughout his career. He coached the Olympic Festive team along with John Calipari and was co-coach of the Year in the Mideast Collegiate Conference. The NABC honored him with the Guardian of the Game Award. Coach Magee was awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters by President Stephen Spinelli Jr. at Philadelphia University's 125th Commencement on May 17, 2009 in recognition of his accomplishments and years of dedication and service. Known as "shot Doctor" because of his ability to teach basketball shot-making through unforgettable clinics held thousands of times during his career. In one such clinic, he parked his car, entered onto the court and without any warmup, hit 25 in a row from the top of the key. Magee received a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Philadelphia University in 1963 and a Master's in Education from St. Joseph's University in 1969.
