Ray Mears (coach)

College coach infobox
Name = Ray Mears


Caption =
DateOfBirth = birth date|1926|11|8
Birthplace = flagicon|USA Dover, Ohio, United States
DateOfDeath = death date and age|2007|6|11|1926|11|8
Deathplace = Knoxville, Tennessee [cite web|url=http://utsports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061107aaa.html |title=Legendary UT Coach Ray Mears Passes Away |publisher=University of Tennessee Men's Athletic Department |date=2007-06-11 |accessdate=2007-06-11]
Sport = Basketball
College = University of Tennessee
Wittenberg University
Title = Head coach
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Coach = Head Coach
CoachYears = 1957-1962
1963-1977
CoachTeams = Wittenberg University
University of Tennessee

Ray Mears (November 8, 1926 – June 11, 2007) [ [http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_108702.asp Legendary Vols' Basketball Coach Ray Mears Passes Away "The Chattanoogan" June 11, 2007 ] ] was a former 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 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." [ [http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=7&screen=news&news_id=56617 "Nashville City Paper" "Legendary UT coach Mears dies at 80" June 12, 2007] ] Mears was born in Dover, Ohio [ [http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/2007/06/12/ddn061207mears.html Associated Press via "Dayton Daily News" "Former Wittenberg coach, MIami U. player Mears dies" June 12 2007] ] and was married to the former Dana Davis. They had three sons: Steve, Mike and Matt. Ray Mears Boulevard in Knoxville, Tennessee is named for him.

Early years

Mears played college basketball at Miami University as a walk-on, graduating from there in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in education. [ [http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/2007/06/12/ddn061207mears.html Associated Press via "Dayton Daily News" "Former Wittenberg coach, MIami U. player Mears dies" June 12 2007] ] He earned his master's degree at Kent State University while coaching at West Tech. 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."

Coaching start

He first coached at Cadiz High School in Ohio's Harrison County 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 High School in Cleveland 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 (Springfield) 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 1960-61, the Tigers won the small college basketball title. [ [http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/college/2007/06/12/ddn061207mears.html Associated Press via "Dayton Daily News" "Former Wittenberg coach, MIami U. player Mears dies" June 12 2007] ] Mears was named the Ohio Coach of the Year in 1960.

The move to "Big Orange Country"

From Wittenberg, the 35-year-old Mears traveled to The University of Tennessee, becoming one of the NCAA's most successful coaches during his 15-year stint there. He compiled three Southeastern Conference championships between 1962 and 1977 [ [http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=7&screen=news&news_id=56617 "Nashville City Paper" "Legendary UT coach Mears dies at 80" June 12, 2007] ] and an overall winning percentage of .713. Mears was twice named the SEC Coach of the Year (1967 and 1977). He coached 12 All-Americans at Tennessee, including NBA stars Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld. He retired in 1977 after 21 years of college coaching and a 399-135 record with no losing seasons and a .747 winning percentage. After leaving coaching, he served for 10 years as Athletic Director at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

One of the prime achievements of Mears' tenure at Tennessee was the introduction of the phrase "Big Orange Country" to the Volunteer fans. As an Ohio native, Mears recalled the Steubenville "Big Red" and liked the name and all it implied. The Volunteers and the Knoxville area took it to heart, along with the innovative pre-game shows Mears brought to spectators. Mears would often, particularly for big away games, walk the entire perimeter of the floor in his Big Orange sportcoat, both engaging and enraging opposing teams' fans. He also had to have green jello for the pre-game meal. Once at an away game the team was eating at a restaurant and the restaurant thought it would be funny to make orange jello. Mears got very mad and the man had to go to the store, buy green jello, prepare it, and serve it. It turns out Tennessee won the game by a couple of points. Coach said it was the green jello. Ray Mears was coach to legendary Tennessee players such as Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld. He was one of the SEC coaches (Adolph Rupp- UK, Dale Brown- LSU,CM Newton-Vandy,Rick Pitino-UK,Wimp Sanderson-UA) that raised the league to one of the U.S.' best basketball conferences.

References