One of the most-watched sports, basketball, has its fair share of legends, and Gene Keady is one of them.
Highly respected in the world of basketball, the American made his mark in the sport and is the receiver of several awards. Moreover, there isn’t a single person who follows basketball and isn’t aware of the Genes’ exploits.
After having a long, hard, and prominent career, the man deserves a rest, but we don’t. We are more than eager to write about this extraordinary man.
Let’s learn a little more about the 2013 College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Gene Keady!
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Lloyd Eugene Keady |
| Birth Date | May 21, 1936 |
| Birth Place | Larned, Kansas, the United States |
| Nick Name | Not Available |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Education | Garden City Junior College |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Father’s Name | Not Available |
| Mother’s Name | Not Available |
| Siblings | Not Available |
| Age | 85 years old |
| Height | Approximately 6 feet |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Build | Athletic |
| Profession | Former Player, Basketball Head Coach |
| Former Team | St. John’s, Toronto Raptors, etc |
| Position | Coach |
| Active Years | 1954 – 2015 |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Patricia Keady (former)
Kathleen Petrie (Present) |
| Kids | Three; Lisa Keady, Dan Keady, Beverly Keady |
| Net Worth | $16 million (approximately) |
| Social Media | |
| Jersey Number | None |
| Last Updated | November, 2024 |
Gene Keady | Early Life & Education
Lloyd Eugene Keady was born on May 21, 1936, in Larned, Kansas, United States. Although his parent’s name is not available, the American disclosed that his parents, especially his father, were a high motivation figure.
Despite the nascent passion, Keady decided that education is first. So, the soon-to-be sporting legend enrolled in Kansas State University.
Gene graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and Physical Education. However, in high school, Keady didn’t forget to hone his football skills and participated in the sport whenever time permitted him.
At this time, the Kansas native was garnering significant attention in his institution and bigger teams.
Gene Keady | Age, Height, Height-Weight, Stats
The American is 85 years old at present.
Although his height measurement is under review, we can assume that Keady was as tall as 6 feet, as he was an active sportsman, and football at that time depended upon a player’s height and physique.
Similarly, there are no sources that disclose his weight stats, but it seems Gene has put a considerable weight at the moment.
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Moreover, being a guy from a football background, Keady switched to basketball as a coach. It shows the Americans’ willingness to learn and also his versatility.
As a coach, he enjoyed many successful years. His 25-year long coaching career at Purdue University is still afresh in Purdue alumni and rival universities’ minds and memories.
Gene Keady | Career In Football & Basketball
In 1958, the NFL drafted Gene in the 19th round for Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he did not play for them. Keady was a quarterback by trade.
Since quitting football, the Kansas native accepted the position of coach at Beloit Junior-Senior High School. As a coach, he understood the value of knowledge and continuous learning, and as such, Gene received a master’s degree alongside coaching.
Added to that, even as a football man, Keady went on record 142 wins and 47 losses( 0.751). He became noticed as a professional after coaching the basketball team of Hutchinson Junior College.
After helming the role of head coach as an assistant, the Blue Dragons won six titles. With that, Gene received coach of the year recognition three years in a row.
Gene dominated the league with 187 wins and 48 losses (0.796) and vacated his coach position in 1974. For Arkansas, Gene accepted the role as an assistant coach, which helped the team dominate the NCAA Division.
In the same way, Americans’ recruiting abilities became highly lauded. As the year 1978 approached, Gene ended his tenure with a record 94 wins for 24 losses (0.667).
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In like manner, the Kansas native managed Western Kentucky University. The year 1978 saw Gene’s team progress with a 17-11 win-loss record. Finally, in 1980, Keady resigned as the coach with a 50% win record of 38 wins for 19 losses (0.667).
Subsequently, life would guide the American to a historical period at Purdue University. A 25-year long praiseworthy career saw him as a legend among rivals and colleagues alike.
For instance, in almost two and a half decade-long career, Gene held the highest wins in the institutions’ win records and a second position for maximum gains at the Big Ten Conference with 493 victories.
In this period, Keady led the team to lift 6 Big Ten titles, 2 Elite Eight appearances, 5 Sweet Sixteen appearances, and 8 NCAA Tournament participation.
After an illustrious career at Purdue, Keady received a lucrative offer to manage Toronto Raptors as an assistant.
With that, it wouldn’t be until after four years he would return to St. John as an assistant and before going into retirement in 2015 from his coaching career.
Over the years, Gene has had a 550 win record to 289 losses. In 2013, the College Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him into the list.
Career Achievements and Highlights
- Naismith Outstanding Contribution to Basketball (2004)
- John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award (2007)
- Purdue Athletic Hall of Fame (2010)
- Five Times National Coach of the Year (1984, 1988, 1994, 1996, 2000)
- Seven Times Big Ten Coach of the Year (1984, 1988, 1990, 1994–1996, 2000)
- NJCAA Hall of Fame (1990)
- Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (2007)
Gene Keady | Net Worth, Salary & Incomes
As per speculations, the basketball coach’s net worth ranges from $1 million to $7 million.
It is evident for Keady to have such a mouth-watering sum, as he was a player in his youth, and by the time he was an aged man, the Kansas native was already a coach and an assistant for big teams.
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At Purdue University, the legendary coach received a handsome $60k sum yearly.
Gene was active in television and radio, and hence, he earned an extra $40k from the gig. Likewise, many sponsors signed him in a deal that saw him receiving a lucrative bonus as well.
Quotes
- I told our players this was our only opportunity this season to play an opponent of this caliber. It was up to them to take advantage of it.
- I thought I looked gorgeous with the comb-over. Of course, it was very ugly.
Gene Keady | Relationship, Wife & Kids
After finding significant success as a coach, it was time for Gene to settle down. The year was somewhere around the late 60s or early 70s, Keady met Patricia.
The two sparked an instant attraction towards each other and were together for a long time. When Gene was 45 years of age, he popped the question to Patricia.
After she said yes, the couple went onto enjoy 28 years together and also shared three children.
Lisa, Dan, and Beverly were three beautiful children conceived from the marriage. Alas, the happiness in Keady’s life was ephemeral. Patricia had suffered a heart attack in 2006.
Simultaneously, she was also battling cancer, and ultimately in 2009, the coach’s wife succumbed to her ailments. Further, Gene married Kathleen Petrie in 2012 after three long years of loneliness.
Gene Keady | Social Media Presence
The 83-year-old shares family and other sports-related posts on Facebook. Do check it out if you want to get the latest news on his life and show the legendary coach a little love.
Gene Keady | FAQs
What is Gene Keady’s coaching record?
The former player’s overall coaching record at Hutchinson Community was 187–51, Western Kentucky was 38–19, and Purdue was 512–270.
How was Gene Keady’s haircut during his coaching days?
In his own words, his haircut during his coaching days was ugly. The coach maintained a comb-over hairstyle that he finally got rid of in 2013 after a bit of persuading from his wife.
Moreover, he paid $600 a week to have the comb-over that he considered quite gorgeous till 2013.
