13 Facts About Abe Lemons

Abe Lemons earned a basketball scholarship to play for Southwestern Oklahoma Teachers College.

Abe Lemons served in the Pacific and often referred to the pressures of his war experience to put sports into perspective.

In 1947, Abe Lemons transferred to Oklahoma City University where he played two years for coach Doyle Parrack.

Abe Lemons was hired in 1955 to coach at his alma mater.

Abe Lemons became the head coach at the University of Texas on March 16,1976, succeeding Leon Black who had resigned seventeen days prior on February 28.

Abe Lemons served as president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches in 1977 and was named National Coach of the Year in 1978.

In March 1978, Abe Lemons led the University of Texas to the championship of the NIT with a victory over North Carolina State.

Abe Lemons became beloved across all of his jobs for his witticisms, but at his most prominent job, Texas, he made a number of notable quotes that made him popular among the fanbase.

Abe Lemons brought positive national attention to the state of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, and OCU.

Abe Lemons established himself as a "teacher of men," not only in sports, but in the values of life, as proven by the success and leadership accomplishments of his students and players.

In 1990, Abe Lemons was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

Abe Lemons married Betty Jo Bills, and they had two daughters, Dana and Jan.

Abe Lemons died on September 2,2002, of complications from Parkinson's disease at the age of 79.