Harry Combes

Who was Harry Combes?

Harry Combes, a native of Monticello, Illinois, served as head men's basketball coach at University of Illinois between 1947 and 1967.

Combes played high school basketball for Monticello High School, where he led his teams to an overall combined record of 72-9.

A three-year letterwinner, Combes was also a star player for the Illini from 1935–1937 and helped lead Illinois to both its Big Ten titles in the 1930s.

Combes began coaching basketball at Champaign High School, where he posted an astounding 254-46 record, including winning the state title in 1946. Beyond the single championship, Combes led Champaign Central to seven state tournament appearances in nine years from 1939 to 1947. During that time the Maroons captured fourth place in 1940 and 1944 before starting three years of amazing runs to the championship game where they finished second in 1945, first in 1946, and second in 1947. In 2007, the Illinois High School Association named Combes one of the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament.

Once at Illinois he won three Big Ten titles in his first five seasons. Combes led Illinois to three third-place finishes in the NCAA Tournament in the four-year period from 1949-1952. The squad won 79 of the 100 games during those four years. Illinois' 1952 Final Four appearance was the first officially recognized Final Four and the only Final Four appearance Illinois made until 1989. Until Lou Henson broke the record in 1990, Combes' 316 wins were the most wins ever by an Illinois head basketball coach.