Joseph Alexander Mullaney (November 17, 1924 – March 8, 2000)[1] was an American professional basketball player and coach.

After graduating from Chaminade High School in Mineola he played college basketball at Holy Cross and with Bob Cousy was on the team that won the 1947 NCAA Championship.

His assistant and protégé at Providence, Dave Gavitt, went on to be a successful coach of the Friars, taking them to the 1973 Final Four and eventually help founding of the Big East Conference.

In the 1969–70 season the Lakers overcame several injury problems and finished 46–36, two games behind the first-place Atlanta Hawks in the Western Division.

[1] In 1971 Mullaney became the fifth coach of the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association, succeeding Frank Ramsey in 1971.

[3] Mullaney coached the East team to a 142–115 win in the ABA All Star game that season.

[1][5][7] During the 1974–75 season Mullaney coached the Memphis Sounds, finishing with a record of 27-57 and 4th place in the Eastern Division.

[8][1] At the start of the 1975–1976 season Mullaney was the coach of the Baltimore Claws but the team folded after a few preseason exhibition games.

Mullaney took the helm in St. Louis in midseason after the team opened with a 20–27 record under coach Rod Thorn.