Jeff Van Gundy, an American basketball coach and former commentator, joined the Los Angeles Clippers as lead assistant under head coach Tyronn Lue on June 18, 2024.
His parents, Bill and Cindy Van Gundy, had a significant influence on him and his elder brother, Stan Van Gundy.
Highlights
- Jeff Van Gundy’s parents, Bill and Cindy Van Gundy, played an essential role in their children’s athletic careers.
- They were proud parents whose sons followed their father in coaching and made it to the top basketball league in the world.
- Jeff has won the NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2024, and Stan has led the Orlando Magic to their first NBA finals appearance since 1995.
Jeffrey William Van Gundy began playing basketball at Brockport High School and became a two-time All-Greater Rochester, leading his team to the Class AA finals.
He joined Nazareth University and led the Golden Flyers to an NCAA Division III Tournament berth in 1984. His career throw percentage, 86.8%, in two seasons remains the highest in the university.
Afterward, Jeffrey started his coaching career at McQuaid Jesuit High School during the 1985–86 season and became a graduate assistant at Providence College.
He became an assistant coach for the New York Knicks on July 28, 1989, and spent the next six-and-a-half seasons supporting different Knicks head coaches.
On March 8, 1996, he became their head coach and led the Knicks to a blowout win over the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in his second game as head coach.
However, on June 10, 2003, he resigned from the Knicks and became the head coach of the Houston Rockets.
Similarly, he joined the Boston Celtics as a senior consultant on October 14, 2023, and won his first NBA Championship in 2024.
Jeff van Gundy’s Career Was Shaped By His Father’s Legacy And Mother’s Support
Jeff Van Gundy, the second son of Bill Van Gundy and Cindy Van Gundy, was born on January 19, 1962, in Hemet, California.
He grew up with his brother in Martinez, California, until 1977, and their parents moved to Brockport, New York.
Bill Van Gundy talking about his son Jeff taking over as head coach for the New York Knicks in 1996. pic.twitter.com/IAsWRhZIdG
— Justin Jacobs (@Squared2020) March 20, 2023
Bill had a B.A., M.A., and Ed D. degrees at the University of California. He was a former basketball player who became the head coach of Genesee Community College.
He also coached at St. Mary’s College, Brockport State, California State University at Hayward, and four California high schools. In his 42-year coaching career, he won over 600 games.
He was awarded NJCAA Region III Coach of the Year three times, and his team had won five Penn-York championships.
Bill received the National Association of Basketball Coaches Merit Award in 1988 and was inducted into the New York State Basketball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2002.
Similarly, the National Association of Basketball Coaches awarded him the Guardian of the Game award in 2005.
He had written two books, Basketball: Man-To-Man Defense and Basketball: Outside Shooting.
Bill and Cindy had supported the family and played an essential role in their children’s athletic careers. Cindy was a pillar of strength for the family during their formative years.
Their children had booked them a vacation as their 50th wedding anniversary gift in 2009.
They were as proud as any parents could be, and both their sons followed their father in coaching and made it to the top basketball league in the world.
Stan Van Gundy Was As Remarkable As His Brother, Jeff, In Coaching
Stanley Alan Van Gundy, Jeff Van Gundy’s elder brother, was born on August 26, 1959.
He began playing basketball at Alhambra High School and played college basketball for his father, SUNY-Brockport, a Division III school.
Stan Van Gundy’s wife, Kim has unexpectedly passed away at the age of 61.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 23, 2023
Prayers 🙏 pic.twitter.com/4PS55TuvxK
Stan graduated with a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Physical Education in 1981 and began his coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of Vermont.
He became the Castleton State College’s head coach for three seasons since 1983, and the NAIA named him the District 5 Coach of the Year, winning the NAIA District 5 tournament.
He spent 12 years with the Heat as an assistant and was named head coach when Riley abruptly resigned before the 2003-4 season.
Stan received an offer as a head coach of the Indiana Pacers in May 2007, but he rejected it and became head coach for the Orlando Magic.
He was named the coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game on January 31, 2010.
Moreover, on February 9, 205, he became the 43rd coach in NBA history to win 400 games with the Detroit Pistons. He also served as the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans in 2020.
Stan was an analyst for ESPN in September 2018 but parted ways in 2019 to work for Turner Sports. He also teaches sports business courses at Stetson University.
The former athlete has four children with his late wife Kim. They were married for 25 years, but his wife committed Suicide in August 2023.
Additional Information
- Jeff Van Gundy married Kim Van Gundy, and they have two daughters, Mattie and Grayson.
- He guided the US to the gold medal at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup and qualified for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
- NBA fined him $100,000 for accusing referees of targeting Houston Rockets center Yao Ming in May 2005.
- His net worth is estimated at $16 million as of 2024.
