B. L. Graham

Bonnie Lee Graham (August 24, 1914 – October 13, 2001) was an American college basketball player and coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). Graham was an All-American center at the school in 1938 and was head coach from 1949 to 1962.

B. L. Graham
Graham in 1952
Biographical details
Born(1914-08-24)August 24, 1914
DiedOctober 13, 2001(2001-10-13) (aged 87)
Oxford, Mississippi
Playing career
1935–1938Ole Miss
Position(s)Center
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1939–1949Jones County JC
1949–1962Ole Miss
Head coaching record
Overall144–168
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
First-team All-American – Helms (1938)
First-team All-SEC (1938)

"Country" Graham came to Ole Miss from Baldwyn High School, which he led the school to the 1932 Mississippi state title.[1] Graham became Ole Miss' first All-American in basketball in 1938 as he was a first-team pick of the Helms Athletic Foundation squad. He pioneered the one-handed hook shot, which was known as ‘Country’s Fade-Away” and using this signature move went on to lead Ole Miss and the Southeastern Conference in scoring as a senior in 1937–38. He also played football at the school during this time.[2]

After the close of his college athletic career, Graham coached both basketball and football at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi, winning state junior college titles in both sports. In 1949, he was named head coach at his alma mater.[3] He coached 13 seasons, compiling a record of 144–168. His 144 victories were the most in school history until 2013 when Andy Kennedy broke the mark.[4] He also was an assistant football coach for the Rebels from 1952 to 1960.[2]

Graham died on October 13, 2001 in Oxford, Mississippi at the age of 87.[2]

Head coaching record
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Ole Miss Rebels[5] (Southeastern Conference) (1949–1962)
1949–50 Ole Miss 8–174–1312th
1950–51 Ole Miss 12–125–910th
1951–52 Ole Miss 15–118–65th
1952–53 Ole Miss 14–115–87th
1953–54 Ole Miss 12–127–76th
1954–55 Ole Miss 8–155–99th
1955–56 Ole Miss 10–134–1010th
1956–57 Ole Miss 9–124–1010th
1957–58 Ole Miss 12–126–88th
1958–59 Ole Miss 7–171–1312th
1959–60 Ole Miss 15–98–64th
1960–61 Ole Miss 10–145–99th
1961–62 Ole Miss 12–135–99th
Ole Miss: 144–168 (.462)67–117 (.364)
Total:144–168 (.462)
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References
  1. Bobby Pepper (March 10, 1999). "HED:Lee County's State Champions". Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  2. "Ole Miss Basketball Legend Country Graham Passes Away". Ole Miss Rebels. October 14, 2001. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  3. "Bonnie Graham new cage coach at Mississippi". St. Petersburg Times. December 11, 1949. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  4. Seph Anderson (February 23, 2013). "Andy Kennedy Becomes Winningest Ole Miss Basketball Coach". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  5. 15/misc_non_event/Records.pdf 2014–15 Ole Miss men's basketball media guide, page 116, accessed December 20, 2014
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