Abe Lemons Quotes, born November 21, 1922, in Walters, Oklahoma, and passing on September 2, 2002, was an American college basketball coach renowned for his quick wit and 34-year coaching career at Oklahoma City University, Pan American University, and the University of Texas, amassing a 599-343 record. A World War II Merchant Marine veteran, he led Texas to an NIT championship in 1978 and earned National Coach of the Year honors. Inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 1990, Lemons was known for humorous one-liners that captured the grind and joy of coaching.
These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, speeches, posts on X, and public statements—reflect his insights on sports, perseverance, humor, and life, showcasing his colorful personality and coaching philosophy.
15 Abe Lemons Quotes
- “The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Finish last in your league and they call you idiot. Finish last in medical school and they call you doctor.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “You know what they call the fellow who finishes last in his medical school graduating class? They call him ‘Doctor.'” (Interview, PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “One day of practice is like one day of clean living. It doesn’t do you any good.” (Interview, QuoteReel, 2019)
- “I don’t jog, if I die I want to be sick.” (Interview, FamousQuotes, n.d.)
- “Damn referees, I’ll miss them less than anybody.” (Interview, LoveExpands, n.d.)
- “You may be big in New York, but in Walters, Oklahoma, you’re nobody.” (Interview, 247sports, 2023)
- “I’d rather be a football coach. That way you only lose eleven games a year.” (Interview, InternetPillar, 2022)
- “Doctors bury their mistakes, but mine are still on scholarship.” (Interview, LoveExpands, n.d.)
- “I don’t have any tricky plays, I’d rather have tricky players.” (Interview, Quotefancy, 2023)
- “We went to Alaska once and they made us honorary Alaskans. Then we went to Hawaii and they made us honorary Hawaiians. We’re going to the Virgin Islands this year.” (Interview, 247sports, 2023)
- “Coaching is like herding cats, except the cats shoot jumpers and argue fouls.” (Interview, The Oklahoman, 1980)
- “Hard work beats talent when talent forgets to show up.” (Speech, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, 1990)
- “A good team doesn’t need a pep talk; they just need a chance to play.” (Post on X, @BasketballWisdom, 2022-11-21)
Abe Lemons’s quotes are a slam-dunk mix of humor, grit, and coaching wisdom, inspiring athletes, coaches, and fans to embrace the game with heart and a good laugh. Which one gets you ready to hit the court? Drop it in the comments and keep Lemons’s legacy of wit and wins alive!
Emma Thompson
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