Charles Ridl
Encyclopedia
Charles "Buzz" Ridl was an American college head coach
of men's basketball
born in the Pittsburgh suburb of Irwin, Pennsylvania
.
He was the long-time coach at Westminster College in suburban Pittsburgh, until 1968 when he was tapped for Division I by the Pittsburgh Panthers. He resurrected a failing program after former coach Timmons lost control of his once competitive team in the midst of the late 1960s protest culture. Along with defensive coordinator Fran Webster and assistant Tim Grgurich
, Ridl developed the often duplicated "Amoeba Defense" and shocked the basketball world with it in 1973-1974 with a school record 22 straight wins and an Elite Eight appearance. He was inducted into the NAIA
Hall of Fame (1969), Western Pennsylvania Coaches Hall of Fame (1980), and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1992).
Ridl's win-loss record at Pitt was 97-83 (.539).
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of men's basketball
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...
born in the Pittsburgh suburb of Irwin, Pennsylvania
Irwin, Pennsylvania
Irwin is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. Some of the most extensive bituminous coal deposits in the State are located here. In the past, iron foundries, flour mills, car shops, facing and planing mills, electrical goods, and mirror factories provided...
.
He was the long-time coach at Westminster College in suburban Pittsburgh, until 1968 when he was tapped for Division I by the Pittsburgh Panthers. He resurrected a failing program after former coach Timmons lost control of his once competitive team in the midst of the late 1960s protest culture. Along with defensive coordinator Fran Webster and assistant Tim Grgurich
Tim Grgurich
Tim Grgurich is an American basketball coach and native of the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania having attended Central Catholic High School in the city. He also served as the head basketball coach at UNLV for the first seven games of the 1994–95 season before abruptly...
, Ridl developed the often duplicated "Amoeba Defense" and shocked the basketball world with it in 1973-1974 with a school record 22 straight wins and an Elite Eight appearance. He was inducted into the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
Hall of Fame (1969), Western Pennsylvania Coaches Hall of Fame (1980), and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1992).
Ridl's win-loss record at Pitt was 97-83 (.539).