Jeff Van Gundy Biography

Jeff Van Gundy is an American former basketball coach and commentator for ESPN, serving as head coach of the Houston Rockets. He also coaches the New York Knicks of NBA – the National Basketball Association.

Jeff Van Gundy Education

Van Gundy is a proud alumnus of Yale University. He did not graduate there – he transferred to Menlo College. Also, he did not complete his studies there at Menlo College. He eventually graduated from Nazareth College in New York in the year 1985. He earned an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters on May 8, 2011, from Nazareth College, during the college’s 84th Annual Commencement Ceremony.

In the years 1980 and 1979, he was a 2-time All-Greater Rochester selection. At the time, he was a high school point guard. This led Brockport Central to the Class AA finals. Van Gundy resumed his basketball playing career at Nazareth College, where he obtained All-American awards.

Jeff Van Gundy Career

Van Gundy started his basketball coaching career at McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, N.Y., during the 1985–1986 season. He became a graduate assistant at Providence College in the subsequent year. There he was under Rick Pitino (head coach) and he used to assist the Providence Friars in advance to the Final Four. Van Gundy has served as an executive board member of a non-profit organization and charter school, Pro-Vision Academy in Houston, Texas. There he helped in providing mentoring, job training, and educational services to girls and boys aged 10–18.

Van Gundy has also served as a guest analyst for ESPN’s broadcast of the Phoenix Suns-San Antonio Spurs game in San Antonio, TX. Since then he has been a regular broadcast member for ESPN. He has also been the head coach of the senior U.S. men’s national basketball team in the qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, as well as at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup tournament. Van Gundy has even guided the United States to the gold medal at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup. Also, he has guided the United States to qualify for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Jeff Van Gundy New York Knicks

Van Gundy began serving as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks on July 28, 1989. As an assistant coach, the New York Knicks earned 3 Atlantic Division titles. They however did not finish lower than 3rd in the division and qualified for the playoffs annually. In the year 1993, the New York Knicks qualified for the Eastern Conference Finals, and in the subsequent year, the NBA Finals played against the Houston Rockets.

He was named head coach of the Knicks on March 8, 1996. In that role, he took over the reins from Don Nelson. In his 2nd game in that role, he helmed the Knicks to a 32–point blowout win over the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. The Chicago Bulls had been previously eliminating the Knicks from the playoffs 4 times since the year 1989. In the postseason, Van Gundy was not able to change that trend, as the New York Knicks fell to Chicago in the conference semifinals.

Jeff Van Gundy Houston Rockets

Van Gundy became the head coach of the Houston Rockets on June 10, 2003. In the 1st season, the Houston Rockets completed with a 45–37 record and advanced to the playoffs for the 1st time in half a decade. However, the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated them in round 1 of the playoffs. The disappointments and injuries persisted for the Houston Rockets into the subsequent season. They went on a late-season run on the back of McGrady’s resurgence, but another round 1 playoff loss, this time to the Utah Jazz, sealed the fate of Van Gundy as their head coach. Van Gundy was however fired at the conclusion of their decisive Game 7 loss in round 1 of the playoffs.

Jeff Van Gundy Age

Van Gundy is 60 years old as of 2022. He was born on January 19, 1962, in Hemet, California, United States. He celebrates his birthday on the 19th of January every year.

Jeff Van Gundy Height

Gundy stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m).

Jeff Van Gundy Family

Van Gundy was born to Bill Van Gundy (father) and Cindy Van Gundy (mother). His dad is a basketball coach who has served as a head coach at Genesee Community College and SUNY Brockport. He was raised alongside his older brother, Stan Van Gundy.

Jeff Van Gundy Brother

Van Gundy’s brother Stan Van Gundy is a famous American former basketball coach who serves as a National Basketball Association (NBA) game analyst for TNT. He formerly head-coached and directed basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons. Stan is 63 years old as of 2022 having been born on August 26, 1959, in Indio, California, United States. He is happily married and has 4 kids; Michael Van Gundy, Kelly Van Gundy, Shannon Van Gundy, and Alison Van Gundy.

Jeff Van Gundy Wife

Van Gundy is married to Kim Van Gundy. Information about their wedding and engagement is unknown at the moment. Further information about their love life with be updated as soon as they are available in the limelight.

Jeff Van Gundy Children

Van Gundy ad his wife Kim Van Gundy takes great pride in being dad and mom to their 2 daughters, Grayson Van Gundy and Mattie Van Gundy. Van Gundy likes spending his spare time with his kids and wife.

Jeff Van Gundy Net Worth

Van Gundy has an annual estimated net worth ranging from $16 Million.

Jeff Van Gundy Book / Author

Van Gundy has co-authored a book called “Elevated: The Global Rise of the N.B.A.” with Harvey Araton. They published the book on April 16, 2019. The book is available on Amazon: Kindle; $3.99, Hardcover; $19.00, and Paperback: $6.08.

Jeff Van Gundy Fight

During the 1998 New York Knicks-Heat Brawl, Van Gundy engaged in an infamous fight with Alonzo Mourning. Van Gundy grabbed Alonzo Mourning’s leg to try and stop the melee.