Phelan was a 1951 graduate of La Salle University and played one season for the Philadelphia Warriors of the NBA.

[2] Selected in the eighth round (77th overall) in the 1951 NBA draft, Phelan played in four games as a reserve for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1953.

Notable players that Phelan coached include Fred "Mad Dog" Carter, Jack Sullivan, and Jon O'Reilly.

A new banner was also revealed in the ARCC Arena (MSMU's home court) with a Phelan bow tie and signifying his 830 wins.

In November 2008, Phelan was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City, MO.

Other members of his induction class included Nolan Richardson (former coach at the University of Arkansas), Charles Barkley (former Auburn player and NBA veteran), and commentators Billy Packer and Dick Vitale.

"[7] Phelan and his wife Dottie had five children (Jim, Lynne, Carol, Larry, and Bobby) and ten grandchildren.