76ers name UNCP grad as assistant coach

By Scott Bigelow

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Jim O'Brien announced the hiring of Joe Gallagher as his assistant coach.

A 1968 UNCP graduate, Gallagher joins the National Basketball Association team after serving as an assistant coach for the last two seasons with O'Brien at the Boston Celtics. Gallagher is a Philadelphia native.

"Joe is an outstanding teacher of the game. He is especially an excellent big man coach," O'Brien said. "I have known Joe for years and was an assistant coach for him at Pembroke State. We are very happy to have him aboard."

Gallagher brings to the Philadelphia coaching staff over 29 years of collegiate coaching experience, including six years as a head coach at Methodist College (1973-75), Pembroke State (1975-78) and Belmont Abbey College (1991-92). Additionally, Gallagher has served as an assistant coach at University of Richmond (1979-86 and 1992-96), Boston College (1986-91), UNC Greensboro (1996-99) and Campbell University (1999-2002).

Gallagher was named Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year each of his two seasons at Methodist College.

At UNCP, he posted career averages of 20.1 points and 13.3 rebounds per game and was honored in 1980 with induction into UNCP's Athletic Hall of Fame. His jersey number 24 was retired.

Gallagher's hiring completes Philadelphia's coaching staff that includes associate head coach Lester Conner, and assistants Dick Harter and Frank Vogel.

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