MAGEE CONTENT AT PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY

January 26, 2007

BY MARK JAFFEE

Copyright ? 2007 Republican-American

Herb Magee has coached at a small college for four decades, but sees only one difference between himself and his counterparts at the NCAA's big-time basketball factories.

"Division I coaches make millions of dollars," noted Magee, the head men's coach at Philadelphia University.

"But I make a nice living," he added in a telephone interview Thursday from the Philadelphia campus. "You'll never get wealthy, but there's nothing wrong with the life I have."

How good is his life? Apparently, very good.

Recently featured in Sports Illustrated, Magee needs only one more win to become the Division II all-time coaching win leader after tying the late Clarence "Big House" Gaines, the legendary coach at Winston-Salem State, with 828 career victories.

Magee, 65, will go for the record Saturday when Philadelphia (15-4) visits Post University's Drubner Center for a 3 p.m. tip-off that will also decide first place in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.

Just 32 and in only his fourth season at Post, Eagles coach Mike Donnelly sees Magee as a role model.

"Coach Magee is my inspiration and has proven that he can coach at a small school for a long time," said Donnelly. "He could have jumped ship, but stayed close to his roots."

Even more telling is Magee's down-to-earth nature, said Donnelly.

"Last year, when I shook hands with him for the first time, I welcomed him to Post and was making excuses for the lack of facilities that we have," said Donnelly. "He immediately cut me off. He told me to be proud of what I had and that the accommodations were just fine. He put me at ease and was very humble, explaining that he didn't need a big atmosphere."

Magee (828-322 career) may be near the record, but has no imminent timetable for retirement because he simply loves what he does.

"I go to work and love it every day," Magee said. "I am in good health and have no reason to stop now. The only time I Iook at the clock coaching basketball is when practice is over. I'll be doing a radio show later where the announcer's daily line is that 'he's never had a bad day.' My line is 'I've never had a hard day.' I never go home tired or beat."

He finished his own playing career at the school, then known as Philadelphia Textile, as its all-time leading scorer (2,235 points) in 1963. (He's now third on the list.) With a degree in textile management and marketing, he signed on to work at Rohm and Haas Co., an industry leader.

But Magee shuddered at the prospect of working there long-term.

"I worked in their mail room during summers and I remember constantly looking at the clock," he said. "I couldn't envision myself working in an office 9 to 5. If I had taken the job, I probably would have lasted a week, until my first paycheck."

Magee instead accepted another position more suited to his passion, coaching at his alma mater.

Paid $5,000, Magee coached junior varsity basketball, cross country, tennis and golf in his first year at Philadelphia Textile in 1963. Four years later, he took over the varsity basketball team at the age of 25, beginning what he never reckoned at the time would be a quest for the record books.

But his teams have made 21 appearances in the NCAA Division II tournaments and he won the national championship in 1970.

Magee's loyalty to the school has been paramount in his decision to remain at his alma mater, and that's what he expects from his players, whom he believes are fringe Division I players.

"My expectations and demands are the same as they always were," said Magee. "I don't have a whole bunch of rules."

There is one exception. "I ask the kids to not embarrass themselves, their family or the program," he said.

Magee is the ultimate constant.

Despite many opportunities to move on to bigger schools or even the NBA, Magee stayed close to his roots, keeping his family in a stable and secure environment.

"I've never given too much thought to leaving," said Magee, "because this is where I belong."