From the Vault: Doc Carlson
Henry Clifford “Doc” Carlson coached 615 games for the Pitt men’s basketball team over 31 seasons and still holds the program’s all-time wins record with 367. One of Pitt’s first multi-sport stars, he later gained legendary status as a head coach.
Carlson earned four letters each in football, basketball and baseball. He was a football All-American at end in 1917 under Coach Glenn “Pop” Warner and the Panthers went 34-1 over his four-year career from 1914-17.
In 1920, Carlson earned his M.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s Medical School, which spawned his nickname “Doc”. He became Pitt’s head men’s basketball coach in 1922, leading the program for 31 seasons. Under his guidance, the Panthers claimed Helms Foundation National Championships in 1928 and 1930.
Carlson created the “Carlson Continuities”, the first weave offense featuring movement, cutting and passing. He famously served ice cream to his players at halftime and was one of the first coaches to actively question officials’ calls. He was also a pioneer in advocating for eliminating the center jump after every basket.
The 1927-28 team went 21-0, the only undefeated season in Pitt Basketball history. The program was retroactively named national champion by both the Helms Foundation and the Premo-Porretta Power Poll. The team opened the season with a win at No. 22 Michigan 49-39 and beat No. 9 Notre Dame in a late season showdown 24-22. The team ended the year with a 45-28 win over Penn State to clinch the unbeaten season.
The 1929-30 team went 23-2 to earn the program its second Helms Foundation National Championship. Behind Helms Player of the Year Charley Hyatt, Pitt beat No. 24 Notre Dame twice, No. 23 Fordham and No. 11 Temple. The Panthers also defeated Montana State 38-37 in a January contest billed as a national championship game.
From 1927-31, Carlson’s teams went a combined 80-11.
The 1940-41 team was also a special one, going 13-6 and making Pitt’s first NCAA Final Four. The Panthers beat North Carolina 26-20 before a 36-30 loss to eventual national champion Wisconsin in the regional finals (national semifinal).
Carlson was inducted into the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame in 1949, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in the 1959 inaugural class, and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in the 2006 inaugural class. He was inducted into the Pitt Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural 2018 class.