PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An era-of-sorts in Philadelphia basketball, one which has intersected both Wilt Chamberlain's and James Harden's times here, will end on Saturday.
Basketball Hall of Famer and Thomas Jefferson University head men's basketball coach Herb Magee will coach his final regular-season game after a 55-year head coaching career, as his Rams play on the road at Holy Family University in Philadelphia.
"54 years, I think, might be enough," Magee told KYW Newsradio's Matt Leon on his 1-on-1 podcast back in September before Magee's 55th season began.
"I don't think anybody else has ever done that. And I didn't really set out to break any records, as far as longevity is concerned."
Wednesday was his final regular-season home game, a 26-point win over USciences for his 1,142nd career win. It came with many in attendance including names like former Temple head coach Fran Dunphy, former Sixers and Saint Joseph's coach Jim Lynam and numerous former players.
When asked about his legacy, Magee thought of those men who played for him.
“I hope it’s the fact that I’ve been able to coach a great number of young men who have been dedicated while they were players, and dedicated when they were graduates and still dedicated," Magee said Wednesday.
"I really do appreciate all you folks coming and I’m looking through the crowd and a number of my former players and that’s what matters to me.”
The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference tournament remains for his NCAA Division II team starting Tuesday, and they own a 19-5 record and the lead in the CACC South Division. Magee believes the team needs to win the CACC tournament to make the NCAA Division II tourney.
But it means that a pathway remains for the Rams to extend Magee's career, which began in 1959 as a player at the school formerly known as Philadelphia Textile before becoming head coach in 1967.
His players also hope to give Magee, a 2011 inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, his second national championship.
The first came in 1970, his third season on the job, one he's turning over to assistant Jimmy Riley.
"He has an unbelievable work ethic," said Magee.
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"There's no job too big for him or too small for him. He does not let any stone go unturned. He's a dedicated guy. He's a good guy. He's a good man. Everybody that knows him likes him."
Magee said he will miss two things more than anything else when he turns the coaching reins over to Riley.
"The kids, you know," Magee said of the first thing. The second piece is how it feels to win with those "kids."
"Yeah, there's nothing that can touch," Magee explained.
"We have played a tough game. It's been back and forth. And then all of a sudden, somebody makes a play at the end of the game. And there's still time on the clock, but it's obvious we're going to win the game. That's the best time of the game, and best time of the day. When you have you worked your rear end off, and you finally have it where you want it, and the game is going to end with you as the winning team."
He hopes to feel that winning feeling Saturday, and perhaps a few more times before 63 years at Thomas Jefferson University and 55 years as the school's coach ends with one final walk into the locker room with his young men.
Before giving more of his attention to, perhaps, his other favorite sporting pursuit.
"I’m gonna start playing golf more and more."
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