Philadelphia University's Herb Magee still looking for win 1,000

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia University coach Herb Magee fell short in his first attempt at becoming the second NCAA men's basketball coach to win 1,000 games.

Magee's bid was denied when Wilmington upset the Rams 72-70 on Tuesday night.

Earlier in the day, Magee told Action News what the milestone would mean to him.

"It's big because nobody has done it but Mike Krzyzewski. To be honest with you, I can't wait for it to be over so we can get the pressure off the players," Magee said.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is the only men's coach to win 1,000 games. Krzyzewski won his 1,000th game on Jan. 25 against St. John's at Madison Square Garden.

Magee coached Tuesday at the tiny campus court at the Gallagher Center that only holds about 1,200 fans on a few rows of bleachers.

Magee has won all 999 games over 48 seasons at the 3,600-student private Division II university in Philadelphia. He has never considered leaving.

"If I had moved on like a lot of guys do, staying one jump ahead of the pass, I think probably I wouldn't be in the Hall of Game and I certainly wouldn't be accomplishing what I'm accomplishing now," Magee said.

Villanova head coach Jay Wright said, "Herbie is truly is what you see. He loves Philadelphia basketball. He loves Philadelphia University, takes great pride in it. He loves his family. He's not giving that up."

Wright should know. Magee recruited him out of high school.

He also recruited another big name local coach Fran Dunphy who has the utmost respect for his longtime friend.

"It's ridiculous that he's still doing what he's doing and a good ridiculous. I'm really impressed with it. I love Herb and his family and I'm very happy for him," Dunphy said.

And so now the question: How long will the Hall of Famer continue to do this? And how many more wins, can he rack up? 1,500?

"You know what would be good about that, that would mean I would be alive, like 80, that would be great if that happened," Magee said.

He'll try again for 1,000 Saturday against Post.

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Dan Gelston of The Associated Press contributed to this report.