Ron Greene
Biographical details
Born(1938-12-27)December 27, 1938
Terre Haute, Indiana, U.S.
DiedMarch 31, 2021(2021-03-31) (aged 82)
Murray, Kentucky, U.S.
Playing career
1960–1962Murray State
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1965–1966Loyola (LA) (assistant)
1966–1968Loyola (LA)
1969–1977New Orleans
1977–1978Mississippi State
1978–1985Murray State
1985–1989Indiana State
1991Nashville Stars
1992–1999Calloway County HS
2007–2008Kentucky Retros
2008–2011Murray HS
Head coaching record
Overall339–258 (college)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
AP SEC Coach of the Year (1978)
2× OVC Coach of the Year (1980, 1983)

Ronald L. Greene (December 27, 1938 – March 31, 2021) was an American basketball coach who served as head coach of three Division I college basketball teams, as well as teams in Division II, the World Basketball League, the American Basketball Association, and high school.

Early career

Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Greene was a high school star for the legendary Howard Sharpe at Terre Haute's Gerstmeyer Tech High. He began his college career as a freshmen member of the Bradley Braves; he subsequently transferred to Murray State, completing his eligibility under Head Coach Cal Luther. While at Murray, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.[1] His coaching career began in 1965 at Loyola University New Orleans where he was an assistant coach under Head Coach Bill Gardiner. The team went 9–17 in his only season as an assistant before being promoted to the head coach position. He spent two seasons as Head Coach before moving across town to assume control of the University of New Orleans program.

University of New Orleans

Greene was hired by UNO when the school began intercollegiate varsity competition in 1969–70 season. He compiled a 149–64 (.700) record in eight seasons; leading the Privateers to a #1 final ranking for the 1970–71 season and a #2 final ranking for the 1974–75 season. Four of his teams qualified for NCAA tournaments. The Privateers finished fourth in 1974 Division II tourney and second in the 1975 tourney. Greene paved the way for the Privateers’ move to Division I in the 1975–76 season.[2]

Mississippi State University

Greene only spent the 1977–1978 season with the Bulldogs. That year, the Bulldogs finished with an 18–9 record.[3] Several hours after The Associated Press had named him the Southeastern Conference basketball coach of the year and the Mississippi state board had voted him a $7,500 raise, Greene announced he was leaving the job to become coach of his alma mater Murray State.[4]

Murray State University

After managing only 4 wins in his first season in Murray, Greene coached the Racers to 23 wins the following year and an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament. The Racers knocked off Jacksonville and Alabama before losing to Illinois 65–63 in the Quarterfinals.[5] Greene's Racers would reach the NIT twice more before he left in 1985. His overall record at Murray was 119–78. While at the Racer helm, Greene coached Racer greats, such as Gary Hooker and Lamont Sleets.[6]

Indiana State University

Greene returned to his native Terre Haute in 1985 when he became head coach of the Indiana State Sycamores. Greene inherited a young team and finished 11–17 in his first season as head coach.[7] The team, however never matched this success and Greene resigned after an abysmal 4–24 record in the 1988–89 season. His overall record at ISU was 31–82.[8]

One of his players was Eddie Bird, the younger brother of NBA player Larry Bird.[9]

Later career

Greene was head coach of the Nashville Stars during the 1991 WBL season. The Stars went 23–28 in their first and only season of existence.[10] He resigned in July 1991 to become the 12th head coach at Calloway County High School.[11] His tenure at Calloway County started rough, including a 16-game losing streak in his first season. Greene posted a few good seasons for the Lakers including a 23–6 season as well as two 17–9 seasons, spending 8 years at Calloway.[12] He resigned following the 1999 season and former Murray State and Western Kentucky player Terry Birdsong took over.[13] He returned to coaching in 2007 when he was named head coach of the ABA’s Kentucky Retros.[14] In 2008 Greene was named head coach at Murray High School. He retired after the 2010–11 season.[15]

Greene died on March 31, 2021, in Murray, Kentucky, at age 82.[16]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Loyola (New Orleans) Wolf Pack (Independent) (1966–1968)
1966–67 Loyola (New Orleans) 11–11
1967–68 Loyola (New Orleans) 11–14
Loyola (New Orleans): 22–250–0
New Orleans Privateers (Independent/Sun Belt Conference) (1969–1977)
1969–70 New Orleans 18–5
1970–71 New Orleans 23–3Division II South Regional
1971–72 New Orleans 19–9Division II South Regional
1972–73 New Orleans 9–13
1973–74 New Orleans 21–9Division II National Tournament Final Four
1974–75 New Orleans 23–7Division II National Tournament Runner-up
1975–76 New Orleans 18–8
1976–77 New Orleans 18–104–2
New Orleans: 149–644–2
Mississippi State Bulldogs (Southeastern Conference) (1977–1978)
1977–78 Mississippi State 18–913–52nd
Mississippi State: 18–913–5
Murray State Racers (Ohio Valley Conference) (1978–1985)
1978–79 Murray State 4–222–107th
1979–80 Murray State 23–810–21st1980 National Invitation Tournament
1980–81 Murray State 17–1010–42nd
1981–82 Murray State 20–813–31st1982 National Invitation Tournament
1982–83 Murray State 21–811–31st1983 National Invitation Tournament
1983–84 Murray State 15–137–74th
1984–85 Murray State 19–98–64th
Murray State: 119–7861–35
Indiana State Sycamores (Missouri Valley) (1985–1989)
1985–86 Indiana State 11–175–117th
1986–87 Indiana State 9–204–10T–7th
1987–88 Indiana State 7–212–128th
1988–89 Indiana State 4–240–148th
Indiana State: 31–8211–47
Total:339–258 (.568)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

  1. ↑ "The Shield Yearbook". Murray State University Yearbooks. Murray State University: 159. 1962. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  2. ↑ "Ron Greene". 19 June 2007.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ "Sports News Briefs; Kings' Suit Says Nets Owe $25,000 in Archibald Deal People in Sports". The New York Times. 17 March 1978.
  5. ↑ "Murray State basketball statistics". racerhistory.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2008.
  6. ↑ "Murray State Racers basketball history". Archived from the original on 3 February 2008. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  7. ↑ "Indiana State Gets Eddie Bird". 28 May 1986. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012.
  8. ↑ "In Brief Indiana State's Coach Resigns". 22 February 1989.
  9. ↑ http://www.sportsstats.com/jazzyj/greats/cba91/bird.htm
  10. ↑ "World Basketball League". members.aol.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 1999.
  11. ↑ "Google". 19 July 1991.
  12. ↑ "Google". 14 February 1992.
  13. ↑ "Google". 7 May 1999.
  14. ↑ "ABAlive.com – Home of the American Basketball Association". www.abalive.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2007.
  15. ↑ Dillard, Tommy (24 March 2011). "A legend leaves: Greene has no regrets as retirement approaches". Murray Ledger & Times. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  16. ↑ "Racer Legend Coach Ron Greene Passes At Age 82". Murray State Racers. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
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