John Castellani
Encyclopedia
John Castellani is a former professional basketball
coach. He coached the Minneapolis Lakers during the 1959-1960 season. Prior to his short coaching stint with the Lakers, Castellani coached Seattle University
from 1956 to 1958. With Elgin Baylor
starring in his lineup, Castellani led the Chieftains to the 1958 NCAA Championship
game only to lose 84-72 to legendary coach Adolph Rupp
and his Kentucky Wildcats
.
However, just a month after the championship game, NCAA violations came to light concerning airfare bought for recruits Ben Warley
and George Finley. The result was that Castellani resigned under fire, Baylor left for the NBA, and Seattle was given a two-year postseason ban. Castellani returned to coaching for one year, again coaching Elgin Baylor as an assistant coach for the Lakers in the 1959–60 NBA season.
Currently, he is an attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
and can frequently be seen at Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette Golden Eagles basketball games.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach. He coached the Minneapolis Lakers during the 1959-1960 season. Prior to his short coaching stint with the Lakers, Castellani coached Seattle University
Seattle University
Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic university located in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, USA.SU is the largest independent university in the Northwest US, with over 7,500 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools, and is one of 28 member...
from 1956 to 1958. With Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor
Elgin Gay Baylor is a retired Hall of Fame American basketball player and former NBA general manager who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers....
starring in his lineup, Castellani led the Chieftains to the 1958 NCAA Championship
1958 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1958 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 24 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball in the United States. It began on March 11, 1958, and ended with the championship game on March 22 in...
game only to lose 84-72 to legendary coach Adolph Rupp
Adolph Rupp
Adolph Frederick Rupp was one of the most successful coaches in the history of American college basketball. Rupp is fourth in total victories by a men's NCAA Division I college coach, winning 876 games in 41 years of coaching...
and his Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
.
However, just a month after the championship game, NCAA violations came to light concerning airfare bought for recruits Ben Warley
Ben Warley
Benjamin Vallentina Warley was an American professional basketball player.A 6'5" forward/guard from Tennessee State University, Warley played five seasons in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Syracuse Nationals, Philadelphia 76ers, and Baltimore Bullets. He averaged 8.4...
and George Finley. The result was that Castellani resigned under fire, Baylor left for the NBA, and Seattle was given a two-year postseason ban. Castellani returned to coaching for one year, again coaching Elgin Baylor as an assistant coach for the Lakers in the 1959–60 NBA season.
Currently, he is an attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
and can frequently be seen at Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette Golden Eagles basketball games.