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Bob Calihan

1918 – 1989

American basketball player-coach

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About Bob Calihan

Lived 1918 – 1989 (aged 71). Bob Calihan was an American basketball player and basketball coach.

Robert James Calihan (August 2, 1918 – September 22, 1989) was an American basketball player and coach.

Calihan played for the University of Detroit from 1937 to 1940. He led his team in scoring during each of his three seasons and became the school's first All-American honoree in 1939. After graduating in 1940, he played professionally in the National Basketball League for the Detroit Eagles, Chicago American Gears, Syracuse Nationals and other teams. He became Detroit Mercy's basketball coach in 1948, and remained in that position until 1969. Over his coaching career, he posted a 360–237 record, leading his team to three NIT appearances and an appearance in the 1962 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. Detroit Mercy's Calihan Hall was named in his honor in 1977.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Detroit Mercy
Awards
All-National Basketball League (United States) Team; Detroit Mercy Titans men's basketball; List of National Basketball League (United States) champions; NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
Also known as
Robert James Calihan

People in Bob Calihan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Bob Calihan's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bob Calihan?

American basketball player-coach

When was Bob Calihan born?

Bob Calihan was born on 2 August 1918 in Iowa.

When did Bob Calihan die?

Bob Calihan died on 22 September 1989 in Detroit.

What was Bob Calihan's occupation?

Bob Calihan was a basketball player and basketball coach.

What nationality was Bob Calihan?

Bob Calihan was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Bob Calihan

· Wikidata: Q4931996

· DBpedia: Bob Calihan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bob Calihan. https://biography.guide/bob-calihan/

MLA: "Bob Calihan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bob-calihan/.

Chicago: "Bob Calihan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bob-calihan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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