Ray Mears (basketball)
| Sport(s) | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Current position | |
| Title | Head coach |
| Biographical details | |
| Born |
November 8, 1926 Dover, Ohio |
| Died | June 11, 2007 (aged 80) Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1957–1962 | Wittenberg |
| 1962–1977 | Tennessee |
Ray Mears (November 8, 1926 – June 11, 2007) was an American collegiate basketball coach at Wittenberg University (1957–1962) and the University of Tennessee (1963–1977). His career record of 399-135 (.747) still ranks among the top 15 all-time NCAA coaching records for those with a minimum of 10 seasons. Mears is largely regarded as the father of University of Tennessee (UT) basketball and was known for his trademark orange blazer, which he wore during games. Mears is also credited with coining the phrase "Big Orange Country." Mears was born in Dover, Ohio and was married to the former Dana Davis. They had three sons: Steve, Mike, and Matt. Ray Mears Boulevard in Knoxville, Tennessee, the city where he died, is named for him.
Mears played college basketball at Miami University as a walk-on, graduating from there in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in education. He was also a member of the Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. He earned his master's degree at Kent State University while coaching at West Tech High School in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a member of the Miami University Athletics Hall of Fame and contributed to Miami University's national reputation as the "Cradle of Coaches."
Mears first coached at Cadiz High School in Harrison County, Ohio in 1949, where he doubled as head basketball coach and assistant football coach. In 1950, he left Cadiz for a two-year stint in the Army, returning to the head basketball coaching position at West Tech in 1952. That team won the district championship and finished second in the city of Cleveland. Mears spent four successful years at West Tech.
Mears next moved to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio as head basketball coach, assistant football, and head tennis coach. In six seasons at Wittenberg, he led the Tigers to four Ohio Conference titles and a 121-23 record. It was at Wittenberg where Mears developed his reputation as a great teacher of team defense. For three seasons, Wittenberg was ranked No. 1 in defense in the country and produced two first-team All-Americans. In 1960-1961, the Tigers won the small college basketball title. Mears was named the Ohio Coach of the Year in 1960.
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