Lew Andreas
Back to Player Index
    Coach
HS: Sterling Sterling, IL
Born: February 25, 1895 Sterling, IL
   
Season
Wins
Losses
Pct
Notes
1924-1925
15
2
.875
 
1925-1926
19
1
.950
National Champions (Helms Foundation)
1926-1927
15
4
.789
 
1927-1928
10
6
.625
 
1928-1929
11
4
.733
 
1929-1930
18
2
.900
 
1930-1931
16
4
.800
 
1931-1932
14
8
.636
 
1932-1933
14
2
.875
 
1933-1934
15
2
.882
 
1934-1935
15
2
.882
 
1935-1936
12
5
.706
 
1936-1937
13
4
.765
 
1937-1938
14
5
.736
 
1938-1939
14
4
.778
 
1939-1940
10
8
.556
 
1940-1941
14
5
.737
 
1941-1942
15
6
.714
 
1942-1943
8
10
.444
 
1943-1944
0
0
----
Season Suspended - World War II
1944-1945
7
12
.368
 
1945-1946
23
4
.852
NIT
1946-1947
19
6
.760
 
1947-1948
11
13
.458
 
1948-1949
18
7
.720
 
1949-1950
18
9
.667
NIT
Career
358
134
.728
 

Lew Andreas was a highly successful coach, who led the Orangemen for 27 seasons, including their National Championship in 1926. He compiled a career record of 358 wins vs 134 losses. Andreas was responsible for taking Syracuse's athletic programs to national prominence, Lew Andreas Syracuse Orangemenas he was the Director of Physical Education and Athletics from 1937 until 1964, a span of 28 years. During that time he saw the basketball program develop into a perennial NCAA power, the football program reach elite status with a national championship in 1959, and lacrosse program become one of the pre-eminent programs in America.

In 27 seasons as Syracuse head coach, he had 24 winning seasons, including 18 in a row, a National Championship, and two NIT bids. Andreas was known for his up tempo style of play, and letting the players make their own plays, as opposed to having set plays. Andreas had a gruff personality, seldom smiling, but always caring for the players. He played deep into his bench, often substituting whole lineups.

He was also the head coach of the football team from 1927-1929, going 15-10-3.

Andreas initially attended the University of Illinois where as a freshman he played in baseball, basketball and football. He would leave school after his freshman year to help in World War I. He would serve as an ambulance driver over in France. He later attended Syracuse University where he played in football and baseball (ironically, not in basketball). He was an end on the football team, and a catcher on the baseball team. Andreas would play one season of football with the Syracuse Pros of the APFA as a end (wide receiver), playing two games (the team only played three).

He would serve as the athletic director at Norwich High School for two seasons before returning to Syracuse to be the director of freshman athletics.

Andreas was president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches from 1954 to 1958.

Andreas was inducted into the Syracuse Hall of Fame in 1988. He passed away in 1983.

©RLYoung 2005, 2007, 2015