Bluejay Dynasty

🕰️ Arthur Schabinger (1923–1935)

Arthur Schabinger initiated Creighton's conference play, guiding the team to four North Central Conference titles before transitioning to the Missouri Valley Conference in 1928. As the program's winningest coach for 75 years, Schabinger amassed a 165–66 record, with 11 of his 13 teams finishing in the top two of their respective leagues, including eight championship or co-championship titles.

🚀 Eddie Hickey (1936–1947)

Eddie "The Little Giant" Hickey, a Creighton Law alumnus, brought an electrifying "controlled fast break" offense to the Bluejays. His tenure saw immediate success, including a Missouri Valley title in his first season. Hickey led Creighton to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1941 and a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Final Four in 1942, a period when the NIT held significant prestige. His innovative style captivated audiences, particularly in New York City.^[4]

🔄 Post-War Transition (1948–1959)

The post-war period marked a phase of significant change and fluctuating performance for the Bluejays. The team departed the Missouri Valley Conference and briefly shifted from Division I to Division III. Coaches like Julius 'Duce' Belford and Sebastian 'Subby' Salerno faced challenges, though Theron Thomsen achieved a winning season in 1956–57. By 1959, the athletic department prioritized revitalizing the program.^[5]

🌟 John 'Red' McManus (1960–1969)

John J. 'Red' McManus revitalized the Bluejays with a fast-break offense and box-zone defense. Through sharp recruiting and rigorous coaching, he quickly restored Creighton to national prominence. His teams reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 1962 and 1964, featuring future professionals like Paul Silas, who led the nation in rebounding. McManus, a colorful and respected figure, built a nationally competitive schedule before his resignation in 1969.^[6][7][8]

✈️ Eddie Sutton (1970–1974)

Eddie Sutton began his Division I head coaching career at Creighton, leading the Bluejays to their first NCAA tournament appearance under his guidance in 1974. His tenure coincided with the "Travelin' Jays Era," a philosophy of playing a national schedule that brought significant recognition. Sutton's teams logged extensive travel, playing in numerous cities and states, and even undertaking a South American tour.^[9][10] He departed for Arkansas in 1974, leaving an 82–50 record.^[11]

🛡️ Tom Apke (1975–1981)

Tom Apke, a former Creighton player and assistant, inherited Sutton's program. Despite a tragic loss in his first season with the death of rising star Mike Heck, Apke's 1974–75 team rallied to reach the NCAA tournament. He led Creighton back to the Missouri Valley Conference in 1977, achieving immediate success with regular season and tournament titles in 1978, and further NCAA appearances in 1978 and 1981. Apke's 130–64 record over seven seasons solidified his place in Bluejay history.^[11][12][13]

🏀 Willis Reed (1982–1985)

The hiring of NBA legend Willis Reed as head coach generated both excitement and controversy. Initially, Reed faced skepticism due to his lack of college coaching experience and an inability to recruit top local talent. However, his landmark signing of Benoit Benjamin, a highly sought-after center, transformed the program. Reed developed Benjamin into a national star, leading the Bluejays to a 20-win season and an NIT appearance in 1984–85. Reed resigned after the 1984–85 season, citing concerns about maintaining success within NCAA rules.^[14][15][16]

🔥 Tony Barone (1985–1991)

Tony Barone inherited a struggling team but soon found success with the "Dynamic Duo" of Bob Harstad and Chad Gallagher. His 1988–89 team surprised many by winning the MVC regular season and tournament titles, securing an NCAA berth with a dramatic game-winner. The 1990–91 squad, one of the school's best, also claimed both MVC crowns and advanced to the NCAA second round. Barone's tenure saw significant individual accolades, including MVC Player of the Year awards for Harstad and Gallagher.^[17][18][19]

📉 Rick Johnson (1991–1994)

Rick Johnson, promoted from assistant coach, experienced a challenging period as head coach. His teams saw progressively worse records, culminating in a 7–22 finish in his final 1993–94 season. Johnson concluded his three-year tenure with a 24–59 record.^[12]

📈 Dana Altman (1995–2010)

Dana Altman, a Nebraska native, revitalized the program after a difficult start. His tenure is marked by several distinct eras of success:

• Rodney Buford Era: Altman's recruitment of Rodney Buford, along with Ryan Sears and Ben Walker, laid the foundation for a resurgence. The 1998–99 team won the MVC tournament and advanced to the NCAA second round. Buford became the Jays' all-time leading scorer.^[20]
• Sears & Walker Era: Ryan Sears and Ben Walker led the team to consecutive MVC tournament championships (1999, 2000) and NCAA appearances. Sears, a consistent field marshal, and Walker, a clutch scorer, left indelible marks on the program.^[21]
• Kyle Korver Era: Kyle Korver's exceptional three-point shooting defined this period. Despite replacing key players, the 2001–02 team shared the MVC title and won the tournament, with Korver earning MVC Player of the Year. The 2002–03 team set a school record with 29 wins and was ranked in the top 25, with Korver repeating as MVC Player of the Year. He finished his career as one of the NCAA's top three-point shooters.^[22]
• Nate Funk Era: Nate Funk continued the sharpshooting tradition, leading the team in scoring and assists. The 2004–05 team won the MVC conference crown and earned an NCAA berth. Despite a season-ending injury, Funk returned to lead the 2006–07 team to an MVC tournament title and an NCAA appearance, finishing sixth all-time in Creighton scoring.^[23]
• Arkansas Fiasco & Later Years: In 2007, Altman briefly accepted the Arkansas head coaching position before returning to Creighton, citing family reasons.^[24][25] Although his teams continued to achieve 20-win seasons and NIT appearances, they did not reach the NCAA Tournament again under his leadership. Altman, Creighton's all-time winningest coach with 327 wins, departed for Oregon in 2010.^[26][12]

🔵 Greg McDermott (2010–Present)

Greg McDermott took the helm in 2010, quickly establishing a new era of success. His son, Doug McDermott, became a standout player, earning consensus first-team All-American honors and MVC Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. The Bluejays won MVC tournament titles in 2012 and 2013, making NCAA appearances. In 2013, Creighton joined the Big East Conference, where Doug McDermott continued to excel, earning Big East Player of the Year and consensus national player of the year honors in 2014, becoming only the eighth Division I player to score 3,000 career points.^[27][28]

Despite a challenging 2015 season after Doug McDermott's NBA departure, the team rebounded, consistently reaching postseason play. Notable events include Maurice Watson Jr.'s injury and subsequent suspension in 2017,^[30][31] and Coach McDermott declining an offer from Ohio State in the same year.^[34] Under McDermott, Creighton reached the Elite Eight in 2023 for the second time in program history, and again in 2024, demonstrating sustained high-level performance. His contract has been extended through the 2027-2028 season, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the Big East.^[35][36][37]

bracket NCAA Tournament

The Creighton Bluejays have made 27 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, compiling a combined record of 21–26. Their journey includes reaching the Elite Eight twice in program history, first in 1941 and again in 2023, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest national level.

invitational NIT Results

The Bluejays have participated in 12 National Invitation Tournaments (NIT), achieving a combined record of 9–12. Their notable NIT performances include a Final Four appearance in 1942, where they secured a third-place finish.

tournament Other Tournaments

Beyond the NCAA and NIT, Creighton has also competed in other postseason tournaments, including the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) and the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT).

scoring Career Scoring Leaders

rebound Career Rebound Leaders

assist Career Assist Leaders

block Career Blocked Shots Leaders

steal Career Steals Leaders

3pt Career Three-Point Leaders

ft Career Free Throw Leaders

🐦 Unique Mascot

Creighton University holds the distinction of being the only NCAA Division-I men's basketball team to feature a Bluejay as its mascot.^[12] This unique identity sets them apart in the collegiate sports landscape.

triple Triple-Double Achievers

Only two players in Creighton's men's basketball history have recorded a triple-double in a single game: Benoit Benjamin and Baylor Scheierman. Benjamin notably achieved this feat three times during his collegiate career, demonstrating exceptional all-around performance.^[12]

⚾ Baseball Hall of Famer

Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Gibson also had a remarkable basketball career at Creighton. He concluded his collegiate basketball tenure in 1957 as the school's third-best scorer with 1,272 points and ranked second in career free throws made (418). Gibson averaged an impressive 20.2 points per game over his three-year college career. As of the 2014–15 season, he remains 21st on the career scoring list and fourth in both career scoring average and free throws made.^[47][48]

record Single-Game Scoring Record

On December 16, 1967, Bob Portman etched his name in Creighton history by setting the individual single-game scoring record with an astounding 51 points against Wisconsin-Milwaukee. This remains a testament to his offensive prowess and a highlight in the program's record books.^[41]

📜 References