Gene Keady Biography: Age, Career, Net Worth, Purdue Legend & Hall of Fame Coach
Lloyd Eugene Keady is an American retired college basketball coach who transformed Purdue University into a national powerhouse during his 25-year tenure from 1980 to 2005. With over 800 career wins across all levels, six Big Ten championships, and a record seven Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, Keady stands as one of the most successful and respected figures in college basketball history. His 2023 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame cemented his legacy among the game’s coaching elite.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Lloyd Eugene Keady |
| Nick Name | Gene |
| Profession | Retired College Basketball Coach, Basketball Analyst |
| Birth Date | May 21, 1936 |
| Age | 89 years 9 months old |
| Birth Place | Larned, Kansas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Winningest coach in Purdue history, 6 Big Ten championships, 7-time Big Ten Coach of the Year |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Gray/White |
| Eye Color | Not publicly disclosed |
| Education | Kansas State University (B.S. Biological Sciences and Physical Education, 1958; M.S. Education, 1964) |
| Religion | Not publicly specified |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Current Wife | Kathleen Petrie (married June 2012) |
| Previous Wife | Patricia Keady (deceased April 2009) |
| Children | Lisa (deceased May 2005), Beverly, Dan |
| Parents | Not widely publicized |
| Hobbies | Golf, dogs (Bernedoodles), spending time with family |
| Current Residence | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |
| Years Active (Coaching) | 1959–2015 |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hall of Fame Inductions | Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2023), National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2013), NJCAA Hall of Fame (1990), Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (2007), Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame (2001) |
Early Life & Education
Lloyd Eugene Keady was born on May 21, 1936, in Larned, Kansas, a small town in the central part of the state . He developed a passion for sports early on, thanks to his father’s enthusiasm for athletics .
After graduating from Larned High School in 1954, Keady attended Garden City Junior College in Garden City, Kansas, where he became a four-sport athlete and a Junior College All-American quarterback for the Broncbusters .
He then transferred to Kansas State University, where he continued his multi-sport career lettering in football, baseball, and track while earning his bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and Physical Education in 1958 . Despite being drafted in the 19th round of the 1958 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers (223rd overall), Keady never played professional football, choosing instead to pursue coaching .
While coaching at Beloit High School, Keady earned his master’s degree in Education from Kansas State in 1964 .
Coaching Career
High School Beginnings (1959–1965)
Keady’s coaching career began at Beloit Junior-Senior High School in Beloit, Kansas, where he took the only coaching position available—head basketball coach . Over six seasons (1959–1965), he compiled an impressive 142-47 record .
Junior College Success at Hutchinson (1965–1974)
In 1965, Keady moved to Hutchinson Junior College in Hutchinson, Kansas, starting as an assistant coach before being promoted to head coach after just one season . His tenure at Hutchinson was remarkably successful:
- Six Jayhawk Conference titles
- Six national tournament appearances
- Second-place finish in the 1973 NJCAA national tournament (29-4 record)
- Three-time Junior College Coach of the Year for Region Six (1971, 1972, 1973)
- Overall record: 187-48
Keady was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 1990 as both a player and coach .
Arkansas Assistant (1975–1978)
Keady transitioned to NCAA Division I basketball as an assistant coach at the University of Arkansas under head coach Eddie Sutton . During his four seasons, Arkansas went 94-24 and reached the Final Four in 1978, finishing third in the NCAA Tournament . Keady earned a reputation as a tireless recruiter and was instrumental in recruiting Arkansas’ famous “Triplets”: Ron Brewer, Marvin Delph, and Sidney Moncrief .
Western Kentucky Head Coach (1978–1980)
Keady got his first Division I head coaching opportunity at Western Kentucky University . In just two seasons, he led the Hilltoppers to:
- 38-19 overall record
- Ohio Valley Conference Co-Championship in 1980
- OVC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in 1980
Purdue University (1980–2005): The Legendary Era
On April 11, 1980, Keady was named Purdue University’s 17th head basketball coach . What followed was a 25-year transformation of the Boilermaker program into a national powerhouse.
Key Achievements at Purdue:
| Category | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Overall Record | 512-270 (.655 winning percentage) |
| Big Ten Record | 262-135 (.661 winning percentage) – 3rd best in conference history |
| Big Ten Championships | 6 (1984, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996) |
| Big Ten Coach of the Year | 7 times (1984, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000) – Tied with Bob Knight for most all-time |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 17 |
| Elite Eight Appearances | 2 (1994, 2000) |
| Sweet Sixteen Appearances | 5 (1988, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000) |
| 20-Win Seasons | 14 (school record) |
| 30-Win Seasons | 0 (but two 29-win seasons: 1987-88 and 1993-94) |
Keady became Purdue’s all-time winningest coach on December 6, 1997, passing Ward Lambert with an 87-69 victory over Louisville and Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum . The court at Mackey Arena was named “Keady Court” in his honor in 1997 .
National Coach of the Year Awards (6 times):
- 1984 – USBWA, CBS Sports, Chevrolet Scholarship Program, Hoop Scoop, Iowa Rebounders Club
- 1988 – NBC Sports
- 1994 – NABC National Coach of the Year
- 1995 – Chevrolet/CBS Sports
- 1996 – Chevrolet/CBS Sports, AP, UPI, College Sports Magazine, Basketball Weekly; Henry Iba Award (USBWA)
- 2000 – NABC, College Sports Magazine, Basketball Weekly, Chevrolet/CBS-TV Sports, AP, UPI, Sports Illustrated
Notable Players Coached:
- Glenn Robinson – Consensus National Player of the Year (1994), led nation in scoring (30.3 ppg), set Purdue/Big Ten single-season scoring record (1,030 points), #1 overall NBA Draft pick
- Keith Edmonson – All-American (1982)
- Jim Rowinski – Big Ten MVP (1984)
- Stephen Scheffler – Big Ten MVP (1990)
- 13 NBA Draftees during his tenure
The 1993-94 season was particularly special, with Glenn Robinson leading the Boilermakers to a 29-5 record and Elite Eight appearance .
Post-Purdue Career (2005–2015)
After retiring from Purdue in 2005, Keady’s coaching career continued:
Toronto Raptors (2005–2006)
- Assistant coach for one season
St. John’s University (2010–2015)
- Special Assistant/Advisor to Head Coach Steve Lavin
- Role involved strategy development, game film analysis, practice planning, and serving as program ambassador
- Helped bridge his legacy to a new generation
USA Basketball Career
Keady was a prominent figure in international basketball, compiling a 40-2 record (.952) with USA Basketball :
| Year | Role | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Co-Head Coach | National Sports Festival | Gold Medal |
| 1985 | Head Coach | U.S. Olympic Developmental Program (Jones Cup, Taiwan) | Silver Medal |
| 1989 | Head Coach | World University Games (West Germany) | Gold Medal |
| 1991 | Head Coach | Pan-American Games | Bronze Medal |
| 1999 | Assistant Coach | Americas Qualification Tournament | Qualified for 2000 Olympics |
| 2000 | Assistant Coach | Olympic Games (Sydney, Australia) | Gold Medal (Dream Team) |
He also assisted in selecting the 1984 and 1988 U.S. Olympic squads .
Personal Life
Family Tragedies and Remarriage
Keady experienced significant personal loss during his coaching career. His daughter Lisa passed away in May 2005, just months before his retirement from Purdue . His wife Patricia died in April 2009 after a long illness .
In June 2012, Keady found love again, marrying Kathleen Petrie in a mountaintop ceremony in Hawaii during the Nike Elite Camp . The couple resides in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina .
Children
Keady has three children: Lisa (deceased), Beverly, and Dan .
Recent Activities
In 2019, Keady and his wife Kathleen, along with current Purdue coach Matt Painter and his wife, adopted Bernedoodle puppies from an Amish farm outside Lafayette, Indiana . Keady’s puppy, named Abbey Road after the Beatles song, flew home with him to Myrtle Beach .
Keady remains connected to Purdue basketball and serves as a basketball analyst for the Big Ten Network .
Coaching Philosophy and Legacy
Keady was known for his gruff exterior but caring nature. As Matt Painter, his former player and current Purdue head coach, recalled: “He had the uncanny ability to rip you and tell you that you are OK in the same sentence” .
His coaching philosophy emphasized:
- Discipline and attention to detail (“You have to be disciplined doing the mundane things day to day”)
- Academic excellence (nearly 90% of his seniors graduated)
- Player development over raw talent
- Tough, honest coaching with underlying loyalty
Keady’s teams were known for their toughness, defensive intensity, and fundamental soundness—qualities that reflected their coach’s personality.
Awards & Hall of Fame Inductions
| Year | Honor |
|---|---|
| 1990 | NJCAA Hall of Fame (player and coach) |
| 2001 | Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame |
| 2004 | Naismith Outstanding Contribution to Basketball Award |
| 2007 | John R. Wooden “Legends of Coaching” Award |
| 2007 | Kansas Sports Hall of Fame |
| 2010 | NABC Hillyard Golden Anniversary Award |
| 2010 | Lapchick Character Award |
| 2010 | Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame |
| 2013 | National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame |
| 2023 | Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
Career Statistics
Overall Coaching Record
| Level | Years | Record | Winning % |
|---|---|---|---|
| High School (Beloit) | 1959–1965 | 142-47 | .751 |
| Junior College (Hutchinson) | 1965–1974 | 187-48 | .796 |
| NCAA Division I (Western Kentucky & Purdue) | 1978–2005 | 550-268 | .672 |
| Career Total (all levels) | 1959–2005 | 872-360 | .708 |
Purdue Specifics
- 512 wins (most in program history)
- 270 losses
- .655 winning percentage
- 262 Big Ten wins (2nd most in conference history at the time)
- 6 Big Ten titles
- 17 NCAA Tournament appearances
- 22 total postseason appearances (including NIT)
Controversies
Keady maintained a remarkably controversy-free career. His only “controversial” moment might be his gruff coaching style, which some outsiders misinterpreted, but those who played for him understood as genuine care. He was known for his piercing glares on the court but an easy-going, philosophical nature off it .
Physical Statistics
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | Not publicly disclosed |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Gray/White |
| Build | Average |
| Distinctive Features | Signature gruff demeanor, piercing glare during games |
Quotes
“He had the uncanny ability to rip you and tell you that you are OK in the same sentence.” — Matt Painter on playing for Keady
“You have to be disciplined doing the mundane things day to day.” — Gene Keady on coaching philosophy
“Basketball is an easy game to play, but it is a difficult game to master.” — Gene Keady
“Never a dull moment with Coach Keady.” — Matt Painter, on Twitter after adopting puppies with Keady
Favorites
- Music: The Beatles (named his dog Abbey Road)
- Sports Teams: Kansas State Wildcats (alma mater), Purdue Boilermakers, Pittsburgh Steelers (drafted him)
- Activities: Golf, spending time with family, dog ownership
- Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (current residence)
Net Worth
Gene Keady’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, given his 46-year coaching career at multiple levels, including 25 years at a major Big Ten program, his NBA assistant coaching position, his current role as a television analyst, and numerous speaking engagements, his net worth is estimated to be in the range of several million dollars. College basketball coaches at major programs during his era typically earned salaries ranging from mid-six figures to over $1 million annually in their final years.
Interesting Facts
- Keady was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1958 NFL Draft but never played professionally
- He was a four-sport athlete in junior college and lettered in three sports (football, baseball, track) at Kansas State
- He is the only coach to win Big Ten Coach of the Year three consecutive years (1994-1996)
- The court at Mackey Arena is named “Keady Court” in his honor
- He coached the consensus National Player of the Year (Glenn Robinson) and had the #1 overall NBA Draft pick
- He has a 40-2 record (.952) coaching USA Basketball teams
- He was part of the “Dream Team” coaching staff that won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
- His coaching tree includes Matt Painter, who has continued Purdue’s success
- He and Matt Painter adopted Bernedoodle puppies together in 2019
- He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023 at age 87
Did You Know?
- Keady started his coaching career at Beloit High School because it was the only coaching position available
- He won 187 games in just 8 seasons at Hutchinson Junior College
- He was part of the Arkansas staff that reached the 1978 Final Four
- His 512 wins at Purdue are nearly double the next closest coach in program history
- He won national coach of the year awards from six different organizations in 2000 alone
- Nearly 90% of his seniors graduated from Purdue
- He was a member and former president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)
- He received the John R. Wooden “Legends of Coaching” Award in 2007
Social Media & Official Links
- Purdue Athletics: purduesports.com/staff/gene-keady
- Basketball Hall of Fame: hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/gene-keady
- Big Ten Network: Appears regularly as basketball analyst
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Gene Keady?
Gene Keady was born on May 21, 1936, making him 89 years 9 months old years old .
How many wins did Gene Keady have at Purdue?
Keady won 512 games at Purdue, making him the winningest coach in program history .
How many Big Ten championships did Gene Keady win?
Keady won six Big Ten championships at Purdue (1984, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996), including three straight from 1994-1996 .
Is Gene Keady in the Hall of Fame?
Yes, Keady was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023 and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 .
Who is the current Purdue basketball coach?
Matt Painter, who played for Keady from 1989-1993 and was an assistant under him, has been Purdue’s head coach since 2005 .
Did Gene Keady coach in the NBA?
Yes, Keady served as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors for one season (2005-2006) after retiring from Purdue .
What is Keady Court?
Keady Court is the name of the basketball court at Purdue’s Mackey Arena, named in honor of Gene Keady in 1997 .
How many times was Gene Keady named National Coach of the Year?
Keady was named National Coach of the Year six times (1984, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000) .
Conclusion
With his 2023 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Keady received the ultimate recognition for a lifetime dedicated to basketball excellence. As he enjoys retirement in Myrtle Beach with his wife Kathleen and their dog Abbey Road, his influence continues to resonate through every Purdue game played on Keady Court and every coach who learned from his example.
Did you find this biography helpful? Share this article with Purdue basketball fans and college basketball enthusiasts, and follow Gene Keady’s commentary on the Big Ten Network for continued insights from one of the game’s legendary coaches.
