Jim Lynam

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Lynam played at Saint Joseph's University, where he was a three-year starter and key player on the 1961 Final Four team. He was named team MVP in 1963. Lynam was also named MVP of the Big 5 in his senior year. He began coaching at Lansdale Catholic High School in 1964–65. At St. Joseph's, he led the Hawks to the 1981 Elite Eight. After NBA coaching stints, he served as an assistant for the Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers. He retired from coaching after the 2007–08 season and began broadcasting in 2008.

In Their Own Story

Midway through the 1987–88 season, Lynam became the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers following the departure of Billy Cunningham. That season marked the first time since 1975 that the team played without Julius Erving or Moses Malone. Despite these losses, Lynam brought the Sixers back to the playoffs in his first full season. The following year, he led Philadelphia to an Atlantic Division title with a 53–29 record, securing the second seed in the conference. They finally surpassed the Larry Bird Celtics for the first time in the Charles Barkley era but fell to Michael Jordan's Bulls in consecutive playoff series. Injuries derailed the 1991–92 season after a strong 7–3 start, ending with a 35–47 record and a missed playoff berth. Frustrated by owner Harold Katz's controversial moves, including trading Moses Malone and letting Rick Mahorn leave, Barkley demanded change. Katz stepped away from operations, handing decision-making to Lynam.

Reader's Guide

{'full_name': 'Jim Lynam', 'born': 'September 15, 1941', 'college': "Saint Joseph's University", 'nba_teams_coached': 'San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers (1983–1985), Philadelphia 76ers (1987–1992), Washington Bullets (1995–1997)', 'gm_tenure': 'Philadelphia 76ers (1992–1994)', 'nba_coaching_record': '328–392 (.456)', 'college_coaching_record': '158–118'}

Did You Know?

• Lynam was a key player on Saint Joseph's 1961 Final Four team that defeated Utah in a four-overtime game for third place.
• He coached the St. Joseph's Hawks to the Elite Eight in 1981 as a #9 seed, upsetting #1 ranked DePaul.
• Lynam's daughter, Dei, is a former anchor/reporter for NBC Sports Philadelphia and has worked as a sideline reporter for TNT's NBA Playoffs coverage.