Basketball’s inventor has the worst coaching record in Kansas history – and it’s not even close

Naismith’s Losing Record That Built Basketball’s Greatest Dynasty

Dr. James Naismith came to Kansas in 1898 with a fresh MD and a game he’d made up just seven years prior.

The new KU coach lost his first game 16-5 and went on to post a 55-60 record, the only losing mark in school history. Yet during his 39 years at Kansas, Naismith built something huge.

He taught Phog Allen, who later led KU for 39 seasons and trained future legends like Dean Smith.

Though Naismith often skipped practice and worked more as ref than coach, his legacy lives on at the DeBruce Center where you can view his handwritten rules that changed sports forever.

Tragedy Shaped Young Naismith’s Resilient Character

James Naismith was born on November 6, 1861, in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. When he was nine, his Scottish immigrant parents died from typhoid fever, making him an orphan.

He moved in with his aunt and uncle and went to grade school at Bennies Corners near his hometown. As a kid, he loved playing “duck on a rock,” where players throw stones at objects on rocks.

This childhood game later gave him the idea for basketball’s shooting style.

Though James struggled with schoolwork, he showed natural talent for farm work and outdoor activities.

School Dropout Becomes Unlikely Academic Success

James had a rocky school journey. He quit Almonte High School after two years, stayed away for four years, then came back to finish in 1883.

He went to McGill University in Montreal, studying physical education until 1890. At McGill, he worked as the Athletic Director before moving to the United States.

James thought about becoming a minister and looked into seminary school before changing his mind. In 1890, he moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, joining the YMCA Training School where his life would change forever.

A Snowy Day Problem Leads to Global Sports Phenomenon

In winter 1891, Luther Halsey Gulick Jr. asked James to create an indoor activity for bored students.

On December 21, 1891, the first basketball game used a soccer ball and peach baskets as goals. James wrote 13 simple rules for his new game called “Basket Ball.”

The sport spread quickly through YMCAs across America and then worldwide.

When people wanted to name it “Naismith Ball” after him, James said no, keeping the name that described the game itself.

From Gym Teacher to Doctor in the Mile High City

James left Springfield in 1895 and moved to Denver to become a doctor. He studied at Gross Medical College from 1895 to 1898 while working as director of the Denver YMCA.

At 37 years old, he got his medical degree in 1898, becoming “Dr. Naismith.”

During these years away from Springfield, basketball grew more popular across the country, going far beyond what James first thought when he created the simple indoor game.

Kansas Comes Calling After Failed First Choice

In 1898, the University of Kansas needed someone who could teach physical education and lead chapel services. Chancellor Francis H. Snow first asked Alonzo Stagg, James’s former schoolmate, who said no but suggested James instead.

On June 7, 1898, KU hired James as Associate Professor of Physical Culture and Chapel Director.

He moved to Kansas that summer, working as basketball coach, athletic director, and university doctor. Coaching basketball wasn’t even in his original job description since KU didn’t have a team yet.

Basketball Teams Grow From Campus Competition

In December 1898, James set up eight intramural teams with students and faculty members. He watched these campus games closely, picking the best players to form KU’s first varsity team.

The intramural games lasted nearly a month and a half before the team played against another school. Students soon wanted tougher competition than just playing against each other.

The early practices happened at a local Lawrence skating rink because the university didn’t have proper facilities.

First Game Ends in Crushing Defeat

Kansas traveled to Kansas City on February 3, 1899, for their first official game. They played the experienced Kansas City YMCA squad on their home court.

Kansas lost badly, 16-5, in a game that ended at 9:45 pm. The team struggled against YMCA star Jesse James Jr. (no relation to the famous outlaw).

Kansas started their basketball history as possibly the worst team in college basketball, with 29 teams playing nationwide that season.

Kansas Finds Its Footing Against Local Rivals

The early KU teams mostly played against YMCA teams, Haskell Indian Nations University, and William Jewell College. Under James, they played only one current Big 12 school, Kansas State, and just once.

The team got its first home win on February 25, 1899, beating Kansas City YMCA 17-14 in Lawrence, getting back at them for the earlier loss.

They finished their first season with a solid 7-4 record, ranking 15th out of 29 college teams. Back then, no formal tournament existed to name a national champion.

The Inventor Who Hated Coaching His Own Game

James often worked as a referee instead of coaching during games. He rarely showed up for practices and didn’t see himself as a real coach.

He actually liked gymnastics and wrestling better, thinking they were better exercise. To him, basketball was more of an interesting experiment than a serious sport.

From 1898 to 1907, he got a 55-60 record, making him the only coach with a losing record in Kansas basketball history.

The Student Who Proved The Teacher Wrong

James coached Forrest “Phog” Allen from 1905 to 1907, who later took over the team. When Allen told James he wanted to be a coach, James told him, “You can’t coach basketball; you just play it.”

He pushed Allen to study medicine instead at Central College of Osteopathy.

Allen ignored this advice and went on to coach Kansas for 39 seasons (1907-1909, 1919-1956), winning 590 games.

Allen later coached future Hall of Fame coaches Dean Smith and Adolph Rupp, creating a coaching family tree that shaped basketball history.

A Losing Coach Leaves a Winning Legacy

James served the University of Kansas for 39 years until retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1937 at age 76.

He lived to see basketball become an Olympic demonstration sport in 1904 and an official event at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Beyond basketball, he served as a military chaplain in the Kansas National Guard and during World War I in France. James died on November 28, 1939, in Lawrence, Kansas, and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Today, Allen Fieldhouse and James Naismith Court honor his memory, despite having the worst coaching record in school history.

Visiting University of, Kansas

You can explore Dr. James Naismith’s basketball legacy at the University of Kansas on 1651 Naismith Drive in Lawrence.

The DeBruce Center exhibits are free Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, while Allen Fieldhouse offers $10 guided tours including access to James Naismith Court.

The Booth Family Hall of Athletics museum is free weekdays 10am-5pm. Buy tour tickets 48 hours ahead, especially for Saturdays.

You can also visit the Original Rules exhibit on your own during business hours.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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