Abe Lemons
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Abe Lemons as head coach at The University of Texas (1976–82)
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| Sport(s) | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
November 21, 1922 Ryan, Oklahoma |
| Died | September 2, 2002 (aged 79) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Playing career | |
| 1946–1947 | Hardin College |
| 1947–1949 | Oklahoma City |
| Position(s) | Center / Forward |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1955–1973 | Oklahoma City |
| 1973–1976 | Pan American |
| 1976–1982 | Texas |
| 1983–1990 | Oklahoma City |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 594–343 (.636) |
A.E. "Abe" Lemons (November 21, 1922 - September 2, 2002) was an American college basketball player and coach. As a coach at Oklahoma City University, Pan American University and The University of Texas, he compiled a record of 599 wins and 343 losses in 34 seasons.
Lemons was born in Walters, Oklahoma and given the initials-only name "A.E.". He grew up in the town of Walters, Oklahoma and graduated from Walters High School in Spring 1941.
He earned a basketball scholarship to play for Southwestern Oklahoma Teachers College (now known as Southwestern Oklahoma State University). and their long-time coach Rankin Williams.
After United States entered World War II in December 1941, he joined the Merchant Marine. He served in the Pacific and often referred to the pressures of his war experience to put sports pressures into perspective.
After the war, he enrolled at Hardin College, which had just added a four-year senior college in 1946. He was a 6-foot 4 inch center/forward for the Indians, who finished 4-15 under first-year head coach Fermon “Red” Rutledge, during the 1946-47 season.
In 1947, he transferred to Oklahoma City University (OCU) where he played two years for coach Doyle Parrack. In 1947-48, the Chiefs had an 18-13 record, which improved to 20-6 in 1948-49.
He married Betty Jo Bills, and they had two daughters Dana and Jan.
Lemons spent 25 years as head coach at OCU. His first 18 years at OCU from 1955–1973, during which he led OCU to a 309-181 record, two NIT berths and seven NCAA tournament appearances in 1956, 1957, 1963–1966 and 1973. OCU also won the All-College Tournament in 1965. Lemons coached several All-America & future NBA players, such as Arnold Short and Hub Reed.
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