Bob Ociepka

Bob Ociepka
Born	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Basketball coach
Years active	1970–2013
Known for	Assistant coach for multiple NBA teams including Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers

Robert Henry "Bob" Ociepka is a retired American basketball coach.

Early life

Ociepka was born in Chicago to parents of Italian American and Polish American heritage and was raised in the city's West Side neighborhood. He completed his secondary education at St. Mel High School before playing collegiate basketball at Quincy University.

High school coaching career

Following his 1970 graduation from Quincy University, Ociepka began his coaching career as an assistant at Gordon Technical High School in Chicago. After nine years in that role, he was elevated to head coach in 1979. During six seasons leading Gordon Tech, he amassed a 128–43 record, securing regional championships in each of his first four years and guiding the team to the state finals in his debut season. Between 1985 and 1989, he took the helm at York Community High School in Elmhurst, achieving a 27–50 win-loss record. In recognition of his impact on prep athletics, Ociepka was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame in 2000.

NBA career

While coaching at the high school level, Ociepka contributed as a part-time volunteer scout for the Detroit Pistons during the 1980s. His NBA coaching journey commenced in January 1989 when he was appointed assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers. Throughout his professional tenure, he served as an assistant coach for several franchises: the Los Angeles Clippers (1993–1996, 2012–13), Philadelphia 76ers (1996–1997), Cleveland Cavaliers (1999–2001), Detroit Pistons (1998–1999, 2001–2003), Milwaukee Bucks (2003–2006), and Minnesota Timberwolves (2007–2008).

In addition to coaching, Ociepka worked as an advance scout for the Orlando Magic during the 1998 season. From 2008 until 2010, he was part of the coaching staff for the Chicago Bulls, collaborating with head coach Vinny Del Negro during his inaugural season. Following Del Negro’s departure, Ociepka joined the Portland Trail Blazers as an assistant coach in 2010.

Ociepka authored two instructional basketball books: Basketball Playbook: Plays From the Pros (1995) and its sequel Basketball Playbook 2: More Plays from the Pros (2001).

He concluded his coaching career after completing the 2012–13 season with the Clippers.