This article is missing information about Rolland Todd's coaching career from 1964 to 1982. (June 2021) |
Rolland Douglas Todd[1] (born April 26, 1934) is a former player and coach in the National Basketball Association, and a former player in the American Basketball League, who also coached basketball at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He was the first coach of the then-expansion Portland Trail Blazers, leading the team to a 29–53 record in its inaugural season (best of the three expansion clubs who entered the NBA that year); though was let go the next season when the team failed to improve. According to Sports Illustrated his nickname while coaching the Blazers was "Mod Todd".
 Todd as a member of the Oakland Oaks in 1962. | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 26, 1934 Tulare County, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Strathmore (Strathmore, California) |
| College |
|
| Playing career | 1958–1962 |
| Position | Guard |
| Coaching career | 1964–1982 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1958–1960 | Buchan Bakers |
| 1960 | Akron Goodyear Wingfoots |
| 1960–1962 | San Francisco Saints / Oakland Oaks |
| As coach: | |
| 1964–1965 | Cal State LA (assistant) |
| 1965–1970 | UNLV |
| 1970–1972 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1975–1982 | Santa Ana College |
Early life edit
Todd grew up in Strathmore, California, the oldest of four children. He attended Fresno State College where he “was a star 6-4 guard at Fresno State in the mid-1950s, leading the Bulldogs to a 19-8 record and the California Collegiate Athletic Association championship as a senior in 1957-58.” His roommate and teammate for three years was Jerry Tarkanian. He attended graduate school at the University of Washington.[2]
After graduating from Fresno State, Todd played for the Seattle, Washington based Buchan Bakers of the National Industrial Basketball League (NIBL) from 1958 to 1960.[3][4][5] He briefly joined the Akron Goodyear Wingfoots in 1960 during their unsuccessful attempt to qualify as the team to represent the United States during the 1960 Summer Olympics.[6]
Todd signed with the St. Louis Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in June 1960, but was placed on waivers before the start of the regular season.[7][8] Todd reportedly signed with the Washington Tapers of the American Basketball League (ABL) in October 1961, but never joined the team and took a teaching job in Seattle, Washington.[9] In December 1961, Todd signed with the San Francisco Saints of the ABL.[10] On October 26, 1962, Todd signed with the Oakland Oaks of the ABL.[11]
Career statistics edit
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960–61 | San Francisco Saints | 53 | — | 25.1 | .380 | .256 | .752 | 4.1 | 3.7 | — | — | 8.2 |
| 1961–62 | Oakland Oaks | 24 | — | 30.5 | .409 | .292 | .837 | 5.6 | 3.1 | — | — | 14.4 |
| Career | 77 | — | 26.8 | .392 | .270 | .787 | 4.5 | 3.5 | — | — | 10.1 | |
References edit
- ^ "Rolland Douglas Todd was born on April 26, 1934 in Tulare County, California". californiabirthindex.org. California Birth Index. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ Eggers, Kenny (May 11, 2017). "TRAIL BLAZERS' ROLLAND TODD: FIRST COACH, LASTING MEMORIES". Portland Tribune. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
- ^ "Former FSC Cager Is Making Good". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. 21 December 1958. p. 31. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "Cage stars abound". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. 19 November 1959. p. 14. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "Buchan Bakers Advance". Spokane Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. 23 March 1960. p. 1. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "Big O, NAIA Stars Shine In Olympic Trials". Great Falls Tribune. Great Falls, Montana. Associated Press. 1 April 1960. p. 22. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ Thies, Bud (12 June 1960). "Hawks Set Up Playground Clinic Dates". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. St. Louis, Missouri. p. 39. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "Hawks Launch Play Vs. Lakers". The News and Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press. 22 October 1960. p. 12. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "Rolland Todd Inks as Pro". Tulare Advance-Register. Tulare, California. October 10, 1961. p. 7. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "Rolland Todd Signs With SF Saints". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. Associated Press. 16 December 1961. p. 14. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "Oaks Sign Rolland Todd". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. 26 October 1962. p. 50. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "1961-62 San Francisco Saints Statistics". statscrew.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ "1962-63 Oakland Oaks Statistics". statscrew.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
External links edit
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