Jerry Krause Biography

Jerry Krause was head coach of the Eastern Washington University Eagles for 17 years. During his tenure his Eagle teams compiled a 262-196 (.572) record. Krause was responsible for EWU moving from the NAIA to the NCAA D1 level.

Krause returned to Gonzaga University in 2001 to serve as the Bulldogs Director of Men's Basketball Operations. In his first tour with Gonzaga Krause was an assistant coach for eight years. In between his two stints at Gonzaga Krause spent five years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point serving as a professor of sport philosophy and Director of Instructionfor the physical education department.

After many years of coaching and teaching basketball skills, Krause knows there are two things that never change, the fundamentals of the game and athletes who want to maximize their potential.

In stating his philosophy of sports and the sports experience Krause said: "It is my opinion, as a teacher and a coach, that sports are best used as an important avenue to develop young people. I prefer the "educational sports" approach rather than the business/entertainment aspects of sports.

Educational sports places all decisions squarely on what is best for the athlete and the team. The most critical person that ultimately determines the worth of the sports experience is THE COACH; as a teacher, mentor and role model who makes these decisions. I feel that a coach should first and foremost be a teacher. It is up to coaches to develop the team, and that happens one athlete at a time. I firmly believe that if a coach is first and foremost a teacher, he will build a team that delivers outstanding performances as well as turn out exceptional individuals."

Continuing on Krause said: "My mission in life is to know myself, continue to develop my unique talents of teaching, coaching, research and publishing and make the basketball world better by serving others giving back to the game that has been so good to me."

Krause has a long standing history of being involved in many national associations dedicated to the continued growth of basketball. Included in this group Krause served on the selection committee of the National Basketball Hall of Fame, the Board of Directors of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the NCAA rules committee, the NABC Research Chair as well as being a member of the NAIA Basketball Coaches and National Association for Sports and Physical Education Halls of Fame.

When it comes to education Krause has certainly put "his money where his mouth is" having earned his bachelor's degree from Wayne State University in 1959. He went on to earn his master's degree in 1965 and his doctorate degree in 1967, both from Northern Colorado.

Krause, a prolific writer is the most widely published coach in basketball history having written some 27 books on coaching basketball. In addition he has produced 30 basketball instructional videos while frequently serving as a consultant to numerous athletic organizations.

Perhaps, this man of many talents summed it up best when he said: "My intent is to lead and serve with a positive attitude, positive actions and positive reactions to the world around me and do so with courage and humility."

Some of his accomplishments are:

Eastern Washington University Eagles head coach for 17 years
His Eagle teams compiled a 262-196 (.572) record
Responsible for EWU moving from the NAIA to the NCAA D1 level
Gonzaga University assistant basketball coach for eight years
Gonzaga University Director of Men's Basketball Operations for four years
Professor of sport philosophy and Director of Instruction - physical education department West Point - 5 years
Served on the selection committee of the National Basketball Hall of Fame
Member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC)
Member of the NCAA rules committee
The NABC Research Chair
Elected to the NAIA Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame
Elected to the National Association for Sports and Physical Education Hall of Fame
Bachelor's degree from Wayne State University
Master's degree from Northern Colorado
Doctorate from Northern Colorado
Most widely published coach in basketball history - written 27 books on coaching basketball
Has produced 30 basketball instructional videos
Frequently serves as a consultant to numerous athletic organizations