Larry Costello
Larry Costello | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 July 1931 Minoa, Onondaga County, New York, U.S. |
| Died | 13 December 2001 (aged 70) |
| Occupation(s) | Professional basketball player, coach |
| Years active | 1954–1968 (player), 1965–1976 (coach) |
| Known for | Six-time NBA All-Star; first head coach of Milwaukee Bucks; NBA champion (1971) |
Lawrence Ronald Costello (July 2, 1931 – December 13, 2001) was a distinguished American professional basketball athlete and coach. His playing career included stints with the NBA's Philadelphia Warriors, Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers, as well as the Wilkes-Barre Barons in the EPBL. Beyond his time on the court, Costello took on head coaching roles for the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls franchises.
Recognized as a six-time NBA All-Star, Costello was one of the final players to utilize a two-handed set shot in the league. As the first head coach of the Bucks, he guided the team to an NBA championship in their third year (1971), setting a record for the quickest title acquisition by an expansion team. Throughout his decade-long coaching career, he led teams to the playoffs six times and amassed 37 wins out of 60 postseason games, resulting in a 61.7% playoff success rate—positioning him tenth in all-time playoff winning percentage through the 2024–2025 season. In 2022, he earned induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame recognizing his contributions to the sport.
Early life
Born on July 2, 1931, in Minoa, Onondaga County, New York, Costello was the son of Hubert and Ethel Costello, both notable basketball athletes. Known by the nickname Ronnie during his youth, he attended East Syracuse-Minoa High School, where he demonstrated athletic versatility by excelling in basketball, baseball, track, and six-man football. In basketball, he maintained an average scoring rate close to 24 points per game throughout his high school career.
Niagara University
Costello spent three seasons competing for Niagara University between 1951 and 1954 after playing on the freshman squad during his initial year due to NCAA regulations. He led that freshman team to an undefeated 23–0 record. During his junior season, he averaged 18.2 points along with 3.9 rebounds per contest; as a senior, he posted averages of 15.3 points and 2.2 rebounds. He topped the scoring charts in the men's Western New York Little Three Conference for both the 1952–53 and 1953–54 seasons and graduated holding Niagara’s all-time scoring record with 1,275 points (currently within the top thirty). Additionally, he received an honorable mention as an All-America player in 1953.
Under Costello’s leadership, the Purple Eagles participated in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) in 1953, narrowly falling to eventual champions Seton Hall by a score of 79–74; he contributed a team-high 20 points in that game. In the following year’s NIT, Niagara secured third place after winning two out of three games, with Costello scoring 17 points in their consolation victory over Western Kentucky. The squad recorded impressive seasons of 22–6 (1952–53) and 24–6 (1953–54), achieving a No. 16 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.
Costello initially wore jersey number 24 but switched to number 69 during his senior year to commemorate his performance in a six-overtime matchup against Siena on February 21, 1953. This marathon game — then the longest in college basketball history — saw him play all but twenty seconds across a total of 69 minutes while scoring 21 points en route to an 88–81 victory. Niagara retired his number 69 jersey in honor of this feat in 2001.
During his tenure at Niagara, Costello shared the court with future Hall of Fame coach Hubie Brown and NBA coach Frank Layden, reflecting the program’s competitive caliber at that time.
Philadelphia Warriors and Military Commitment
Selected 12th overall in the second round of the 1954 NBA draft by the Philadelphia Warriors, Costello opted to pursue a professional basketball career instead of attending dental school at the University of Buffalo, motivated by his strong dedication to the sport. He appeared in 19 games before undertaking military service in Korea during the 1955–56 season, returning to the Warriors roster in 1956–57. Notably, the Warriors secured the NBA championship during his military absence. In his first complete season back, Costello posted averages of 7.6 points, 3.3 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game while serving as point guard alongside future Hall of Famers Paul Arizin and Neil Johnston.
Syracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers Era
In October 1957, Costello’s contract was transferred by the Warriors to the Syracuse Nationals for a sum of $5,000. During his tenure with Syracuse (1957–62), he earned five All-Star selections and was again honored following the franchise’s relocation and rebranding as the Philadelphia 76ers (1964–65). Throughout his initial eight seasons with the team, Costello consistently scored over ten points per game.
His debut season with the Nationals featured averages of 14.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 5.3 rebounds while playing alongside Hall of Famers Dolph Schayes and Johnny Kerr. Later, Hall of Fame guard Hal Greer joined this core group, maintaining a long-standing partnership with Costello throughout their careers. The 1958–59 campaign saw Costello achieve career-best statistics—15.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game—and finish seventh in MVP balloting. The Nationals advanced to the Eastern Division finals but were narrowly defeated by the Boston Celtics in a seven-game series.
Costello maintained high-level performances into the early 1960s, including a second-team All-NBA accolade in 1960–61 when he averaged 14.5 points and 5.5 assists per contest. Despite strong individual contributions, Syracuse often fell short in playoff matchups against the dominant Celtics teams of that era. In his final year with Syracuse (1962–63), he led the league in free throw percentage but experienced reduced playing time and statistical output.
Following the franchise’s move to Philadelphia in 1963–64 under new head coach Dolph Schayes, Costello shared point guard responsibilities amid a challenging period for the team. The midseason acquisition of Wilt Chamberlain in January 1965 significantly enhanced the squad’s competitiveness; that season, Costello returned to All-Star caliber play, averaging 13.5 points per game and once again leading the NBA in free throw accuracy despite a hamstring injury late in the season that limited his postseason impact. The 76ers were edged out by the Celtics in a tightly contested seven-game Eastern Division finals.
After concluding the 1964–65 season, Costello retired from professional play to focus on coaching basketball and teaching physical education at East Syracuse Minoa High School while also competing part-time for the Wilkes-Barre Barons of the Eastern Professional Basketball League.
He made a comeback with the 76ers for the 1966–67 season at age 35 when coach Alex Hannum sought seasoned leadership following Al Bianchi’s retirement. Costello contributed veteran defensive prowess and experience off the bench as primary point guard duties were handled by Wali Jones and Hal Greer. That year, Philadelphia posted an NBA-best record of 68–13 and ended Boston’s eight-year championship run by winning the Eastern Division finals before capturing the NBA title over the San Francisco Warriors. This roster—featuring Hall of Famers Chamberlain, Greer, Billy Cunningham, and Chet Walker—is widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
During that championship campaign, Costello averaged nearly 20 minutes per game with outputs of 7.8 points and 2.9 assists but was limited to 49 games due to torn knee ligaments sustained in January 1967. Additional knee injuries during playoff competition further curtailed his participation.
In the following season (1967–68), as the league’s oldest active player, Costello averaged close to 18 minutes before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon midseason against the Baltimore Bullets, necessitating surgery. He officially announced his retirement on December 24, 1967, closing a notable career characterized by steady scoring, leadership qualities, and multiple All-Star honors.
Professional Playing Career
Throughout 706 regular-season NBA contests, Costello posted averages of 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. In addition, during 52 playoff appearances, he contributed 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4 assists on average. Although measuring just 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m), he earned a reputation as a tenacious defender. Esteemed Hall of Famers Bob Cousy and Dick McGuire considered him among the premier guards of his generation. Notably, Costello was one of the final NBA players to utilize the two-handed set shot and was easily recognizable by his distinctive crew-cut hairstyle.
He received six NBA All-Star selections, participating in five games, and led the league in free throw accuracy in both the 1962–63 and 1964–65 campaigns.
Coaching Tenure
Costello initiated his coaching journey at East Syracuse-Minoa High School during a hiatus from professional play in 1965.
Milwaukee Bucks Era
In 1968, Costello was appointed as the first head coach of the newly established Milwaukee Bucks franchise, a position he held until November 1976. Over this period, he amassed a coaching record of 410 wins against 254 losses, guided the team to two NBA Finals appearances, and secured one NBA championship title. Under his stewardship, the Bucks qualified for the postseason six times across eight complete seasons, achieving over 56 victories for five consecutive years and surpassing 60 wins in three straight seasons. Known for his rigorous approach and intensity, Costello prioritized discipline, meticulous preparation, and comprehensive study of playbooks.
He was among the earliest coaches to integrate a full-time bench assistant and implement scouting strategies focused on upcoming opponents. Furthermore, he pioneered the use of videotape review for analyzing both his team’s performance and that of rivals well before such methods became widespread.
The Bucks' inaugural season (1968–69) concluded with a 27–55 record. In the subsequent 1969 NBA draft, they secured future Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor) with the first overall pick and selected future Hall of Fame forward Bob Dandridge in the fourth round. Costello played a crucial role in nurturing Dandridge into an elite NBA talent.
The following season (1969–70), Milwaukee improved dramatically by 29 wins to finish at 56–26 and advanced to the Eastern Division Finals before falling to the eventual champions, the New York Knicks. In April 1970, Costello engineered a significant trade that brought Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson to the team, boosting their competitiveness considerably.
During the 1970–71 campaign, the Bucks recorded an NBA-best 66–16 mark, including setting a league record with a 20-game winning streak. This effort culminated in capturing their first NBA championship by sweeping the Baltimore Bullets in four games—a milestone still holding as the fastest title win by an expansion team. Key contributors included Dandridge and All-Star Jon McGlocklin.
The Bucks sustained high-level performance in subsequent seasons: - In 1971–72, they posted a 63–19 record (second only to the Los Angeles Lakers), with Abdul-Jabbar earning MVP honors; they were eliminated by the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. - The 1972–73 season ended with a solid 60–22 record but saw an early playoff exit against the Golden State Warriors. - With assistant coach Hubie Brown making his NBA coaching debut, Milwaukee achieved a league-best 59 wins during the 1973–74 season and reached the NBA Finals again but lost in seven games to the Boston Celtics.
Guard Lucius Allen ranked fifteenth in MVP voting that year but missed postseason action due to injury; Oscar Robertson retired in September 1974.
Following Robertson’s departure, Milwaukee experienced difficulties: - The team finished with identical records of 38–44 in both the 1974–75 season—missing playoffs—and again during the 1975–76 season despite trading Abdul-Jabbar to Los Angeles for assets including Elmore Smith, Dave Meyers, Brian Winters, and Junior Bridgeman.
After beginning the 1976–77 season with a disappointing 3–15 start, Costello resigned on November 22, 1976. His exit coincided with general manager Wayne Embry’s resignation amid disputes with team president James Fitzgerald concerning Abdul-Jabbar’s trade. Embry commented that Costello’s strict coaching philosophy increasingly clashed with changing player attitudes. Don Nelson succeeded him as head coach for the following eleven seasons.
Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Does
During the 1978–79 NBA season, Costello served as head coach for the Chicago Bulls for 56 games before Scotty Robertson took over as interim coach. Subsequently, he returned to Milwaukee to lead the Milwaukee Does of the Women's Professional Basketball League for a portion of the 1979–80 season.
Utica College
Costello’s final coaching position was at Utica College in the 1980s, where he directed the program’s move from Division III to Division I competition as an independent team. After a challenging 4–22 record during the 1980–81 Division III season, he progressively enhanced the squad’s results over four seasons at the Division I level, achieving a 15–12 or 16–12 record by 1984–85. In his second year competing in Division I, his leadership helped the Pioneers rank seventh nationally in terms of team improvement based on win-loss records. Costello retired in 1987 with an overall coaching record at Utica of 77–106, including between 64 and 65 victories at the Division I tier.
Honors
In 2022, Costello was honored with induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor.
His accolades also include being named Syracuse Athlete of the Year in 1960 and induction into the Niagara University Athletics Hall of Honor in 1964. Further recognition came from his inclusion in the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame (1988), Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame (1998), and the New York State Hall of Fame.
Later life
Costello was featured as part of the 1950s NBA Live Legend All-Stars Team within the NBA Live video game series.
Additionally, he appeared in Mark Allen Baker’s Basketball History in Syracuse, Hoops Roots (2010), a publication that explores professional basketball history in Syracuse, spotlighting teams such as Vic Hanson's All-Americans, Syracuse Reds, and Syracuse Nationals (1946–1963).
Death
After battling cancer for a year, Costello passed away on December 13, 2001. He is survived by his wife, four daughters, and three grandchildren.
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954–55 | Philadelphia | 19 | 24.4 | .331 | .813 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 6.2 |
| 1956–57 | Philadelphia | 72 | 29.3 | .374 | .788 | 4.5 | 3.3 | 7.6 |
| 1957–58 | Syracuse | 72 | 38.1 | .426 | .847 | 5.3 | 4.4 | 14.9 |
| 1958–59 | Syracuse | 70 | 39.3 | .437 | .802 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 15.8 |
| 1959–60 | Syracuse | 71 | 34.8 | .453 | .862 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 14.0 |
| 1960–61 | Syracuse | 75 | 28.9 | .482 | .799 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 14.5 |
| 1961–62 | Syracuse | 63 | 29.4 | .427 | .837 | 3.9 | 5.7 | 13.8 |
| 1962–63 | Syracuse | 78 | 26.5 | .432 | " .881* " | 3.0 | 4.3 | 11.0 |
| "1963–64" | "Philadelphia" | "45" | "25.3" | " .468" | " .865" | "2.3" | "3.7" | "11.8" |
| "1964–65" | "Philadelphia" | "64" | "30.7" | " .445" | " .877*" | "2.6" | "4.3" | "13.5" |
| 1966–67†" | "Philadelphia" | "49" | "19.9" | " .444" | " .902" | "2.1" | "2.9" | "7.8" |
| "1967–68" | "Philadelphia" | "28" | "17.6" | " .453" | " .827" | "1.8" | "2.4" | "7.2" |
| " colspan=2 style=text-align:center; "Career" | "706" | "30.0" | " .438" | " .841" | "3.8" | "4.6" | "12.2" | |
| " colspan=2 style=text-align:center; "All-Star" | "5" | "14.2" | " .344" | "1.000" | "1.8" | "2.2" | "4.8" |
Playoff Performance
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Philadelphia | 2 | 8.0 | .375 | .000 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 3.0 |
| 1958 | Syracuse | 3 | 44.7 | .294 | 1.000 | 8.3 | 4.0 | 11.3 |
| 1959 | Syracuse | 9 | 40.1 | .446 | .836 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 17.7 |
| 1960 | Syracuse | 3 | 40.7 | .426 | .833 | 4.7 | 6.7 | 16.7 |
| 1961 | Syracuse | 8 | 33.6 | .408 | .855 | 4.4 | 6.5 | 16.4 |
| 1962 | Syracuse | 5 | 33.4 | .431 | .879 | 3.2 | 5.6 | 14.6 |
| 1963 | Syracuse | 5 | 26.8 | .432 | .826 | 0.8 | 4.6 | 10.2 |
| 1964 | Philadelphia | 5 | 7.2 | .214 | '1.000' | '0.6' | '0.8' | '3.2' |
| '1965' | 'Philadelphia' | '10' | '20.7' | '0.415' | '0.688' | '1.2' | '2' | '5.5' |
| '1967'† | 'Philadelphia' | '2' | '12.5' | "0.750" | "1.000" | '2' | '1.5' | '8.5' |
| 'Career' | 52 | 28.3 | 0.416 | 0.852 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 11.4 |
Coaching Record
| Team | Season | GP | W | L | Win% | Division Standing | Playoff GP | Playoff W | Playoff L | Result | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'Milwaukee' | '1968' | '82' | '27' | '55' | 7th in Eastern | — | — | — | Did not qualify for playoffs | |||||||
| 'Milwaukee' | '1969' | '82' | '56' | '26' | 2nd in Eastern | 10 | 5 | 5 | Exited in Conference semifinals | |||||||
| 'Milwaukee' | '1970' | '82' | '66' | '16' | 2nd in Midwest | 14 | 12 | 2 | Captured 1971 NBA Championship | |||||||
| 'Milwaukee' | '1971' | '82' | '63' | '19' | 1st in Midwest | 7 | 6 | 5 | Eliminated in Conference finals | |||||||
| 'Milwaukee' | '1972' | '82' | '60' | '22' | 1st in Midwest | 6 | 2 | 4 | Defeated in Conference semifinals | |||||||
| 'Milwaukee' | '1973' | '82' | '59' | '23' | 1st in Midwest | 16 | 11 | 5 | Runner-up in NBA Finals | |||||||
| 'Milwaukee' | '1974' | '82' | '38' | '44' | 4th in Midwest | — | — | — | Missed postseason | |||||||
| 'Milwaukee' | '1975' | '82' | '38' | '44' | 1st in Midwest | 3 | 1 | 2 | Lost in First round | |||||||
| 'Milwaukee' | '1976' | '18' | '3' | '15' | Resigned midseason | — | — | — | — | – | ||||||
| "Chicago" | "1978" | "56" | "20" | "36" | Dismissed during season | — | — | — | – | |||||||
| "Career" | "730" | "430" | "300" | 60 | "37" | "23" |
External links
- Player statistics at basketball-reference.com
- Coaching records at basketball-reference.com
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1931 births
- 2001 deaths
- American male basketball players
- Basketball coaches originating from New York (state)
- Basketball athletes from Syracuse, New York
- Chicago Bulls head coaches
- College men's basketball head coaches in the United States
- Eastern Basketball Association coaches
- High school basketball coaches in New York (state)
- Milwaukee Bucks expansion draft selections
- Milwaukee Bucks head coaches
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame members
- NBA All-Star players
- NBA championship-winning head coaches
- Niagara Purple Eagles men's basketball players
- Philadelphia 76ers players
- Philadelphia Warriors draft picks
- Philadelphia Warriors players
- Point guards (basketball)
- Sports figures from Onondaga County, New York
- Syracuse Nationals players
- Utica Pioneers men's basketball coaches
- Wilkes-Barre Barons players
- Women's Professional Basketball League coaches