Leon Black (basketball)

Leon Black
Black during the 1974–75 season
Biographical details
Born(1932-02-21)February 21, 1932
DiedOctober 12, 2021(2021-10-12) (aged 89)
Austin, Texas, U.S.
Playing career
1950–1953Texas
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1959–1964Lon Morris College
1964–1967Texas (assistant)
1967–1976Texas
Head coaching record
Overall106–121
Tournaments1–3 (NCAA)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 SWC regular season (1972, 1974)

Leon Black (February 21, 1932 – October 12, 2021) was an American college basketball coach.[1]

Black, who coached the Texas Longhorns men's basketball team from 1967 to 1976, guided the Longhorns to two NCAA Tournaments as a result of winning the Southwest Conference twice in his nine seasons as head coach. The Longhorns lost in the Sweet Sixteen in 1972 and the first round in 1974. Prior to his time at Texas, Black was head coach at junior college Lon Morris College, compiling a 131–35 record in five seasons.[2]

Black resigned from Texas on February 28, 1976 and was replaced by Abe Lemons seventeen days later on March 16.[3]

Black died on October 12, 2021.[4]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Texas Longhorns (Southwest Conference) (1967–1976)
1967–68 Texas 11–13 8–6 T–2nd
1968–69 Texas 9–15 5–9 T–6th
1969–70 Texas 11–13 6–8 6th
1970–71 Texas 12–12 6–8 T–5th
1971–72 Texas 19–9 10–4 T–1st NCAA University Division Sweet 16
1972–73 Texas 13–12 7–7 T–5th
1973–74 Texas 12–15 11–3 1st NCAA Division I First Round
1974–75 Texas 10–15 6–8 T–4th
1975–76 Texas 9–17 4–12 8th
Texas: 106–121 (.467) 63–65 (.492)
Total: 106–121 (.467)

      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. ^ Former Texas men’s basketball coach Leon Black dies at 89 years old
  2. ^ "Black promoted to top post". The Austin American. May 21, 1967. p. 58. Retrieved October 14, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ Dinkin, Naomi. "People in Sports," The New York Times, Wednesday, March 17, 1976. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  4. ^ "Former Men's Basketball player and coach Leon Black passes away". Texassports.com. October 12, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2021.


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