About Neil Cohalan
Lived 1906 – 1968 (aged 61). Neil Cohalan was an American basketball coach and american football player.
Cornelius Joseph "Neil" Cohalan (July 31, 1906 – January 22, 1968 ) was an American basketball coach. He was the interim coach of the New York Knicks in their first season. Joe Lapchick had been tapped as coach, but opted to stay at St. John's for one more season.
Cohalan was the winning coach of the first game played in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), the forerunner to the National Basketball Association (NBA). The game, a November 1, 1946 contest between the Knicks and the Toronto Huskies played in the Maple Leaf Gardens, was won 68–66 by the Knickerbockers.
Prior to his pro career, Cohalan was the head basketball coach at Manhattan College from 1924 through 1942, where as a student he played basketball and football.
Head coaching record
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Neil Cohalan?
American basketball coach (1906-1968)
When was Neil Cohalan born?
Neil Cohalan was born on 31 July 1906 in The Bronx.
When did Neil Cohalan die?
Neil Cohalan died on 22 January 1968 in New York City.
What was Neil Cohalan's occupation?
Neil Cohalan was a basketball coach and american football player.
What nationality was Neil Cohalan?
Neil Cohalan was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Neil Cohalan. https://biography.guide/neil-cohalan/
MLA: "Neil Cohalan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/neil-cohalan/.
Chicago: "Neil Cohalan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/neil-cohalan/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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