John MacLeod was a successful basketball coach who spent over 30 years in the sport. He began his career as a player, attending Providence College where he was a standout guard. After college, he played professionally in the Eastern Basketball Association and the American Basketball Association.
MacLeod's coaching career began in 1966 when he became an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma. He then moved on to become an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina and the University of South Carolina before landing his first head coaching job at the University of Oklahoma in 1968.
After four seasons at Oklahoma, MacLeod was hired as the head coach at the University of Notre Dame. He led the Fighting Irish to the NCAA tournament in his first season and was named the National Coach of the Year. MacLeod spent nine seasons at Notre Dame, leading the team to six NCAA tournament appearances.
In 1981, MacLeod was hired as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns. He spent 14 seasons with the Suns, leading them to the playoffs nine times and the NBA Finals in 1976. MacLeod was known for his up-tempo style of play and his ability to develop young players.
After leaving the Suns, MacLeod spent time as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, the New York Knicks, and the Notre Dame women's basketball team. He also worked as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns, the Denver Nuggets, and the Golden State Warriors.
Throughout his career, MacLeod was known for his dedication to the game of basketball and his ability to connect with his players. He was a respected coach and mentor to many in the sport and was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
MacLeod passed away in 2019 at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy of success and a love for the game of basketball.
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