Johnny Orr facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 10, 1927 Yale, Kansas |
| Died | December 31, 2013 (aged 86) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 466–346 (.571) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| Big Ten Coach of the Year (1974) National Coach of the Year (1976) 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament (2007) |
|
John M. "Johnny" Orr (June 10, 1927 – December 31, 2013) was an American basketball player and coach. He was very well known for being the head coach for men's basketball at the University of Michigan and at Iowa State University. He still holds the record for the most wins as a coach in Iowa State history. He had 218 wins and 200 losses there.
Orr passed away from heart problems when he was 86 years old.
Contents
Who Was Johnny Orr?
Johnny Orr was a famous basketball coach. He led college teams to many victories. He was known for his exciting coaching style. Many people loved watching his teams play.
Early Life and Playing Days
Johnny Orr was born in Yale, Kansas, in 1927. He loved basketball from a young age. He played college basketball at the University of Illinois and Beloit College. After college, he even played professionally for a short time. He played for teams like the St. Louis Bombers and the Waterloo Hawks.
Becoming a Coach
After his playing career, Johnny Orr became a coach. He started coaching high school basketball. Then, he moved on to college teams. He worked as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin. This helped him learn even more about coaching.
Coaching at Michigan
Johnny Orr became the head coach at the University of Michigan. He coached the Wolverines from 1968 to 1980. During his time there, he led the team to great success. He was even named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1974. In 1976, he received the National Coach of the Year award. This showed how respected he was by other coaches.
Coaching at Iowa State
In 1980, Orr moved to Iowa State University. He became the head coach for the Cyclones. He coached there until 1994. He brought a lot of energy to the program. He helped the team become much better. He is still the coach with the most wins in Iowa State history. He had 218 wins during his time there.
His Coaching Style
Johnny Orr was known for his fun personality. He made basketball exciting for fans. His teams played with a lot of energy. He was also very good at motivating his players. His awards, like National Coach of the Year, show how effective he was. He was a true legend in college basketball.
Legacy
Johnny Orr left a big mark on college basketball. He is remembered as a great coach and a wonderful person. He was honored as one of the "100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament" in 2007. His impact on the sport is still remembered today.
