Don Meyer
Encyclopedia
Don Meyer is a retired American
college basketball
coach who completed his career in 2010 as head coach
of the men's team at Northern State University
. He previously was head coach at Hamline University
and Lipscomb University
.
coach. Meyer is the winningest men's coach in NCAA wins. He is the subject of the book, Playing for Coach Meyer written by Steve Smiley, who played for Meyer as point guard
(1999–2004), and who served as an assistant coach from 2006 to 2008. Additionally, Meyer is also the subject of a more extensive biography written by ESPN baseball analyst Buster Olney
, who has had a close relationship with Meyer since Olney was assigned to cover baseball in Nashville while Meyer was coaching at Lipscomb. "How Lucky You Can Be: The Story of Coach Don Meyer" was released on November 9, 2010.
Pat Summitt
cites Meyer as a major influence on her development as a coach, noting in a 2009 interview:
, Meyer was awarded the Jimmy V (Jim Valvano) Award For Perseverance.
announced that Meyer was that year's recipient of the John Bunn Award
, given by the Hall for significant contributions to the sport.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
coach who completed his career in 2010 as head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the men's team at Northern State University
Northern State University
Northern State University is a four-year public university located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, United States. NSU is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents and offers 38 majors and 42 minors, as well as six associate, eight pre-professional and nine graduate degrees.-History:Founded on the...
. He previously was head coach at Hamline University
Hamline University
-Red Wing location :Hamline was named in honor of Leonidas Lent Hamline, a bishop of the Methodist Church whose interest in the frontier led him to donate $25,000 toward the building of an institution of higher learning in what was then the territory of Minnesota. Today, a statue of Bishop Hamline...
and Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University
Lipscomb University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The campus is located in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville between Belmont Boulevard to the west and Granny White Pike on the east...
.
College basketball coaching career
Meyer is currently the most successful men's basketball coach whose career has included at least one stint with an NCAA member school. His career win total includes stints as a NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
coach. Meyer is the winningest men's coach in NCAA wins. He is the subject of the book, Playing for Coach Meyer written by Steve Smiley, who played for Meyer as point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
(1999–2004), and who served as an assistant coach from 2006 to 2008. Additionally, Meyer is also the subject of a more extensive biography written by ESPN baseball analyst Buster Olney
Buster Olney
Robert Stanbury "Buster" Olney III is a columnist for ESPN: The Magazine, ESPN.com, and covered the New York Giants and New York Yankees for The New York Times. He is also a regular analyst for the ESPN's Baseball Tonight...
, who has had a close relationship with Meyer since Olney was assigned to cover baseball in Nashville while Meyer was coaching at Lipscomb. "How Lucky You Can Be: The Story of Coach Don Meyer" was released on November 9, 2010.
Pat Summitt
Pat Summitt
Patricia "Pat" Head Summitt is an American women's college basketball coach. She is currently the head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team. She is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history of either a men's or women's team in any division...
cites Meyer as a major influence on her development as a coach, noting in a 2009 interview:
Accident and cancer
Don Meyer had cancer discovered in his liver and intestines (bowels) during emergency surgery after a car crash on September 5, 2008. His lower left leg had to be amputated below the knee due to injuries from the car crash. During the surgery they found cancer and later operated on it.Awards
At the ESPY Awards 2009ESPY Awards 2009
The 2009 ESPY Awards were announced from Nokia Theatre on July 15 and showed during the telecast on ESPN, July 19. It was co-presented by Under Armour and Land Rover.- Voting :...
, Meyer was awarded the Jimmy V (Jim Valvano) Award For Perseverance.
Retirement
On February 22, 2010, Northern State announced that Meyer will be retiring after 38 years of coaching at the end of the 2009–10 season. Later that year, on June 30, the Basketball Hall of FameBasketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide...
announced that Meyer was that year's recipient of the John Bunn Award
John Bunn Award
The John Bunn Award is an annual basketball award given by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to an individual who has contributed significantly to the sport of basketball...
, given by the Hall for significant contributions to the sport.