BRONX, N.Y. – The Fordham Athletic Department mourns the passing of former Men's Basketball Head Coach Hal Wissel, who died last week at the age of 86.
 
Wissel coached the Rams for five seasons from 1971-76, taking over for Digger Phelps on the heels of the Rams' 26-3 campaign in 1970-71.  Wissel, whose Fordham teams often played one of the toughest schedules in the nation, led the Rams to an 18-9 record and an NIT appearance in his first season.  In 1974-75, Wissel orchestrated one of the most memorable runs in program history, guiding the Rams to the 1974 Holiday Festival Title capped by a win over No. 5 Southern California.
 
Two Rams, George Zambetti and Darryl Brown, were named Academic All-Americans under Wissel. 
  Wissel came to Fordham following stints at Trenton State and Lafayette, including a 17-9 mark in his final season leading the Leopards before taking over at Rose Hill.
 
Wissel served as an assistant for the Atlanta Hawks under Hubie Brown in 1976-77 before becoming the head coach at Florida Southern College.  Over the next five seasons, Wissel led the Moccasins to four NCAA Tournaments and the 1981 Division II National Championship.  FSC went 97-49 (.664) with Wissel at the helm and went to the Division II Final Four three times in his final three seasons.  He was named the Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year three times and the NABC Division II National Coach of the Year in 1980.
 
After FSC, Wissel spent three seasons at Charlotte and Springfield College, his alma mater, from 1986-90.  At the conclusion of his collegiate coaching career, Wissel served as an assistant coach with four NBA franchises over the next 17 years: the Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.