Bob Kloppenburg
Encyclopedia
Bob Kloppenburg is an American professional basketball
coach, who served as an interim head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers
in the early 1980s. Kloppenburg later served as an assistant coach for the Seattle SuperSonics
, Denver Nuggets
and Toronto Raptors
. While with the Seattle SuperSonics (1985–1996), Kloppenburg was the assistant coach for the NBA West All-Star team in 1994. He contributed to Seattle's three 60 win seasons in the 90's. His NAIA small college coaching career saw him win five district championships in twenty years for an overall record of 369-161. Widely regarded as the innovator of the SOS Defensive System, a system known for its ability to create turnovers because of "contact switching" on every screen and intense ball pressure with trapping principles. Also the co-founder, with Coach Ernie Woods, of HoopTactics.com, a basketball coaching website. Kloppenburg played college ball at the University of Southern California
with the famous proponent of the modern Triangle offense
, Tex Winter
. SOS Defensive System is used world-wide. Bob Kloppenburg has coached and taught other the "how to's" of the game for four decades at the entry level from high school to the pros. His defensive oriented teams have been consistent winners, and his reputation as an outstanding defensive coach and teacher, both at home and abroad, has taken him to 14+ countries around the globe to teach his system of defense. Now retired from active coaching, he is still effectively teaching his "SOS" defensive strategies to coaches with his same patent vim, vigor, and vitality. Kloppenburg has been married for over 60 years to Gayle Kloppenburg. Together they have two children, Gary and Kim. Bob and Gayle Kloppenburg also have six grandchildren: Sonja, Ian, Carlotta, Paige, Gabe, and Tess.
Kloppenburg also spent some time in Europe, coaching for NN Donar in the Netherlands during the 1976-1977 season.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
coach, who served as an interim head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
in the early 1980s. Kloppenburg later served as an assistant coach for the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
, Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
and Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
. While with the Seattle SuperSonics (1985–1996), Kloppenburg was the assistant coach for the NBA West All-Star team in 1994. He contributed to Seattle's three 60 win seasons in the 90's. His NAIA small college coaching career saw him win five district championships in twenty years for an overall record of 369-161. Widely regarded as the innovator of the SOS Defensive System, a system known for its ability to create turnovers because of "contact switching" on every screen and intense ball pressure with trapping principles. Also the co-founder, with Coach Ernie Woods, of HoopTactics.com, a basketball coaching website. Kloppenburg played college ball at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
with the famous proponent of the modern Triangle offense
Triangle offense
The Triangle Offense, also known as the triple-post offense, is an offensive strategy in basketball. Its basic ideas were initially established by Hall of Fame coach Sam Barry at the University of Southern California. His system was later refined by former Kansas State University head basketball...
, Tex Winter
Tex Winter
Morice Fredrick "Tex" Winter is a Hall-of-Fame American basketball coach, and innovator of the triangle offense.-Early life:...
. SOS Defensive System is used world-wide. Bob Kloppenburg has coached and taught other the "how to's" of the game for four decades at the entry level from high school to the pros. His defensive oriented teams have been consistent winners, and his reputation as an outstanding defensive coach and teacher, both at home and abroad, has taken him to 14+ countries around the globe to teach his system of defense. Now retired from active coaching, he is still effectively teaching his "SOS" defensive strategies to coaches with his same patent vim, vigor, and vitality. Kloppenburg has been married for over 60 years to Gayle Kloppenburg. Together they have two children, Gary and Kim. Bob and Gayle Kloppenburg also have six grandchildren: Sonja, Ian, Carlotta, Paige, Gabe, and Tess.
Kloppenburg also spent some time in Europe, coaching for NN Donar in the Netherlands during the 1976-1977 season.
Quotes
- "Bob Kloppenburg is a defensive genius. I know! I have to coach against him." -Pat Riley
- "During my basketball career. I have been very fortunate in working with some outstanding defensive coaches. Bob Kloppenburg, beyond doubt, is one of the best. His breakdown drills, philosophy, and the intensity he extracts from defensive personnel make his book worth reading for all levels of coaching." -Bernie Bickerstaff
- "Coach Kloppenburg has been one of the truly outstanding teachers in basketball for many years. Few are as advanced in their thinking in today's basketball as Coach Kloppenburg." -Pete Newell
- "Coach Kloppenburg has created a system that can work on any level. His defensive philosophies are a major reason for our success with the Sonics. He has an answer for every situation, and it can be taught very easily. Finally, it is a system that makes the game fun and one that the team, coach and players can believe in." -George Karl
- "SOS Pressure Defense is a masterpiece of work done by one of the great tacticians in the game of basketball. Kloppenburg has hit a home run for all students of the game." -Bill Musselman
- "Bob Kloppenburg and I were teammates at USC so I've followed his career closely- especially since both of us have been in the NBA for some time. Bob is considered by the people in the NBA as a "great" mind in basketball, and is especially respected for the defenses he has devised. I've studied his SOS Pressure Defense book and rate it as one of the top books on defense I have seen. His originality is thought provoking and every coach at all levels should have and study this book." -Fred "Tex" Winter, Asst. Coach for the Chicago Bulls.