A.E. “Abe” Lemons (1922-2002) was an influential American college basketball player and coach with a 599-343 coaching record over 34 seasons.
Born in Walters, Oklahoma, Lemons played basketball at Southwestern Oklahoma Teachers College and later at Oklahoma City University (OCU).
He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II. Lemons coached at OCU, Pan American University and the University of Texas.
Notably, he led Texas to an NIT championship in 1978 and was named National Coach of the Year.
In his two stints at OCU, he garnered significant achievements and was inducted into the
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. Lemons passed away in 2002 from Parkinson’s Disease complications.
Here is a collection of best quotes by Abe Lemons.
Top 10 Abe Lemons Quotes
That’s one more rebound than a dead guy. ~ Abe Lemons.
I’d rather be a football coach. That way you only lose eleven games a year. ~ Abe Lemons.
One day of practice is like one day of clean living. It doesn’t do you any good. ~ Abe Lemons.
I don’t have any tricky plays. I’d rather have tricky players. ~ Abe Lemons.
We did have three go to the YMCA. ~ Abe Lemons.
I never substitute just to substitute. I play my regulars. The only way a guy gets off the floor is if he dies. ~ Abe Lemons.
It was the toughest seven-man zone we faced all year. ~ Abe Lemons.
The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off. ~ Abe Lemons.
I hope they notice the mistletoe tied to my coattails as I leave town. ~ Abe Lemons.
I don’t understand these new coaches who don’t drink. What do they do when they get beat? ~ Abe Lemons.
Famous Abe Lemons Quotes
Coaches are creatures of habit. I knew a coach who got a deal going where his players had to run a mile in six minutes. I asked why. He said, ‘gut check’. ~ Abe Lemons.
If I make a set of rules, then a guy goes out and steals an airplane. He comes back and says, ‘It wasn’t in the rules.’ ~ Abe Lemons.
Doctors bury their mistakes, but mine are still on scholarship. ~ Abe Lemons.
There are really only two plays: Romeo and Juliet, and put the darn ball in the basket. ~ Abe Lemons.
They wanted to buy out my contract, but I couldn’t make change for a $20, so they had to let me stay. ~ Abe Lemons.
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. ~ Abe Lemons.
I don’t jog, if I die I want to be sick. ~ Abe Lemons.
Popular Abe Lemons Quotes
You mean in the state? ~ Abe Lemons.
You always catch the wrong players. ~ Abe Lemons.
Coaches who shoot par in the summer are the guys I want on my schedule in the winter. ~ Abe Lemons.
Hell no. When I die I want to be sick. ~ Abe Lemons.
Damn referees, I’ll miss them less than anybody. ~ Abe Lemons.
Maybe it would be best for me to finish at 599. People seem to like you better when you finish just short. ~ Abe Lemons.
Best Abe Lemons Quotes
You know what they call the fellow who finishes last in his medical school graduating class? They call him ‘Doctor.’ ~ Abe Lemons.
You may be big in New York, but in Walters, Oklahoma, you’re nobody. ~ Abe Lemons.
It was a hole in one contest and I had a three. ~ Abe Lemons.
Finish last in your league and they call you idiot. Finish last in medical school and they call you doctor. ~ Abe Lemons.
We don’t pray after a game… that’s too late. ~ Abe Lemons.
So these were the 30 popular quotes about Abe Lemons.
If you like these quotes and sayings, then you can also read my other posts on Mitch McConnell quotes and Donald Hebb quotes.