Career
He coached three different professional teams in his career. The American Basketball Association"s Spirits of Saint Louis, and the National Basketball Association"s Buffalo Braves and New Jersey Nets. MacKinnon also served as the Nets" general manager.
MacKinnon was a three-sport athlete at McKinley Vocational High School in Buffalo, New New York
He was an All-High choice in basketball in 1944, 1945, and 1946, and established a Yale Cup scoring record while pacing the Macks to the City Championship as a junior and senior. Although MacKinnon played baseball at Canisius College and captained the 1950 squad, his greatest success as a college athlete came in basketball.
His honors included selection to the All-Western New York team in 1948–1950, to the All-Auditorium team in 1949–1950, and as a Sporting News Second-Team All American in 1950. MacKinnon is considered one of the most superb defenders and playmakers in Golden Griffin history.
Following graduation, baseball beckoned, and MacKinnon signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization.
However, a steady diet of cheap motels and long bus trips as a minor-leaguer led him back to his first passion, basketball. Following a season as a player for the Syracuse Nationals of the National Basketball Association, MacKinnon returned to Buffalo to coach basketball at Canisius High School. He compiled a record of 36–2 over two seasons and was appointed coach of the Canisius College freshman squad.
In 1959, MacKinnon was named head basketball coach and athletic director at Canisius College.
At the time, he was the youngest coach in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He coached the Griffs for 13 seasons. During his tenure, his capabilities were recognized by his fellow coaches as they selected him to the National Invitation Tournament Selection Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association All-American Selection Committee, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Rules Committee.
MacKinnon left Canisius in 1972, signing on with the Buffalo Braves as assistant coach and scout. Within three seasons, the Braves were a National Basketball Association power.
He was recognized for his prowess as an athlete and coach by his induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
MacKinnon has been married since 1955 to the former Norma Marie Fellow MacKinnon died in Williamsville, New York on July 7, 2015, at the age of 87.