Kansas State University Athletics
Men's Basketball
Fitzsimmons, Lowell
Lowell Fitzsimmons
- Title:
- Head Coach
Lowell “Cotton” Fitzsimmons and Tex Winter had at least three things in common. Neither used their given first name, both took over the head coaching job at K-State after serving as an assistant coach and both are remembered for a coaching style marked by personality and their winning ways.
Fitzsimmons was a menace in the Big Eight in his two years, winning 34 games, including 19 in league play, and finishing among the top two in both seasons. His 1968-69 squad was the league runnerup in his initial campaign, then won the league crown in his second and final season with a 10-4 mark in 1969-70. His second team eclipsed the 20-win mark, advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and earned Fitzsimmons 1970 Big Eight Coach of the Year honors. It was the school’s first 20-win season and first trip to the NCAA Tournament in six seasons since advancing to the 1964 Final Four. He saw three players earn All-Big Eight honors in his tenure, including Steve Honeycutt in 1969 and Jerry Venable and Bob Zender in 1970.
Fitzsimmons was colorful, literally. He became the first coach to ever add a third color to the uniforms, when he attached a gold trim during his stay. Of a less literal, Fitzsimmons’ style drew attention, too. His first team finished 14-12, but that 1968-69 squad averaged more fans (12,166 per game) than any team in the history of Ahearn Field House.
A native of Hannibal, Missouri, Fitzsimmons began his coaching career at Moberly (Mo.) Junior College, where he compiled a 224-58 (.794) record in 11 years and won national titles in 1966 and 1967. He was twice named the National Junior College Coach of the Year. He spent one season as an assistant coach to Winter before being named head coach in 1968, helping the Wildcats to a 1969 Big Eight title and the NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinals.
Fitzsimmons left K-State in 1970 to become head coach of the Phoenix Suns, the first of three coaching stints with the franchise. He went on to coach 21 seasons in the NBA, compiling the 16th-most victories in the league’s history with an 832-775 (.518) record with five teams - Phoenix (1970-72; 1988-92; 1996-97), Atlanta Hawks (1972-76), Buffalo Braves (1977-78), Kansas City Kings [currently the Sacramento Kings] (1978-84) and San Antonio Spurs (1984-86). He was twice named NBA Coach of the Year, first in 1978-79 with the Kansas City Kings and lastly in 1988-89 with the Phoenix Suns.
Fitzsimmons received the highest honor of his esteemed career in 2021, as he was one of 16 individuals selected to the 2021 class of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Formally inducted on September 11, 2021, he is the fifth individual with K-State ties named to the Hall of Fame and third head coach. He was also inducted into the Phoenix Suns’ Ring of Honor in 2005.
Fitzsimmons was Senior Executive Vice President for the organization before his passing at the age of 72 in July 2004 due to complications from lung cancer.
Fitzsimmons was a menace in the Big Eight in his two years, winning 34 games, including 19 in league play, and finishing among the top two in both seasons. His 1968-69 squad was the league runnerup in his initial campaign, then won the league crown in his second and final season with a 10-4 mark in 1969-70. His second team eclipsed the 20-win mark, advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and earned Fitzsimmons 1970 Big Eight Coach of the Year honors. It was the school’s first 20-win season and first trip to the NCAA Tournament in six seasons since advancing to the 1964 Final Four. He saw three players earn All-Big Eight honors in his tenure, including Steve Honeycutt in 1969 and Jerry Venable and Bob Zender in 1970.
Fitzsimmons was colorful, literally. He became the first coach to ever add a third color to the uniforms, when he attached a gold trim during his stay. Of a less literal, Fitzsimmons’ style drew attention, too. His first team finished 14-12, but that 1968-69 squad averaged more fans (12,166 per game) than any team in the history of Ahearn Field House.
A native of Hannibal, Missouri, Fitzsimmons began his coaching career at Moberly (Mo.) Junior College, where he compiled a 224-58 (.794) record in 11 years and won national titles in 1966 and 1967. He was twice named the National Junior College Coach of the Year. He spent one season as an assistant coach to Winter before being named head coach in 1968, helping the Wildcats to a 1969 Big Eight title and the NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinals.
Fitzsimmons left K-State in 1970 to become head coach of the Phoenix Suns, the first of three coaching stints with the franchise. He went on to coach 21 seasons in the NBA, compiling the 16th-most victories in the league’s history with an 832-775 (.518) record with five teams - Phoenix (1970-72; 1988-92; 1996-97), Atlanta Hawks (1972-76), Buffalo Braves (1977-78), Kansas City Kings [currently the Sacramento Kings] (1978-84) and San Antonio Spurs (1984-86). He was twice named NBA Coach of the Year, first in 1978-79 with the Kansas City Kings and lastly in 1988-89 with the Phoenix Suns.
Fitzsimmons received the highest honor of his esteemed career in 2021, as he was one of 16 individuals selected to the 2021 class of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Formally inducted on September 11, 2021, he is the fifth individual with K-State ties named to the Hall of Fame and third head coach. He was also inducted into the Phoenix Suns’ Ring of Honor in 2005.
Fitzsimmons was Senior Executive Vice President for the organization before his passing at the age of 72 in July 2004 due to complications from lung cancer.
K-State MBB | Tang Talkin' Transfers - Abdi Bashir Jr
Wednesday, September 10
K-State MBB | Hang With Tang On The Go (Season 4, Episode 1)
Friday, September 05
K-State MBB | Coach Driscoll Mic'd Up
Friday, August 08
K-State MBB | Vet Week 2025
Monday, August 04
